Baby Hippo Mars Wins Hearts With Mom Stare

Quick Smiles:

• Adorable baby hippo Mars stars in viral video
• Universal “mom stare” brings smiles worldwide
• Heartwarming example of animal and family love

Mars, a five-week-old pygmy hippo calf at Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Kansas, has become an internet sensation after a charming video of him and his mom, Posie, warmed millions of hearts online. The playful moment, viewed by over 4.6 million people, beautifully illustrates the undeniable bond—and discipline—between mothers and their little ones, no matter the species.

In the TikTok video, Mars is first seen trying to avoid the end of his pool playtime, even cleverly slipping past a zookeeper to dash back into the water. While Mars enjoys his swim, viewers watch as his mother, Posie, fixes her youngster with the classic “mom stare”—a silent signal every parent knows well.

Thanks to this gentle reminder, Mars quickly pops out of the pool and obediently follows Posie out, stirring plenty of laughter and loving comments online. The delightful clip prompted people everywhere to relate, comparing Posie’s look to the universal way moms keep their little ones in line without uttering a word.

Dr. Samantha Russak, the zoo’s Curator of Research and Welfare, shared, “This is a pretty common occurrence at the end of the day.” While Posie and the adult hippos head inside at the promise of food, Mars is content to continue nursing and isn’t tempted by the snacks just yet. “So he’s less motivated to go inside because we have food that he’s not ready to eat yet,” Russak explained. She added with a laugh, “That makes him like a greasy avocado,” since baby hippos are covered in a special secretion to protect their skin.

The keepers have discovered that when Mars needs a nudge, Posie’s patient but firm grunts are far more effective than any amount of coaxing. “It seems to be universal. Moms everywhere just have that power over babies,” Russak said. The internet agrees, with comments pouring in likening Posie’s authority to using her calf’s “full three names” or simply giving him “the look.”

As one commenter observed, “The ‘mom stare’ is universal in every species.” Another joked, “Mom: 1, 2… Baby: ok, mom”—reminding us how familiar this parenting technique is to families everywhere.

Mars’ adorable adventure isn’t just a viral hit—it’s a heartening reminder of the special love between mothers and their little ones, and how a quiet glance can speak volumes in any language (or species!).

For a guaranteed smile, check out the original moment shared by the Tanganyika Wildlife Park team:

[EMBED TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@tanganyikawildlifepark/video/7533224557570755854]

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