Sometimes, the simplest solutions come from those who know best — like a loving mother. This heartfelt story captures a playful moment at a zoo where a stubborn baby hippo learns the power of a mother’s call. Get ready for an uplifting tale that reminds us all of the unique bond between parents and kids!

At Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Kansas, a charming baby pygmy hippo named Mars found himself in a sticky situation. It was time for him to leave the water and snuggle into his cozy shelter for the night, but Mars was having none of it. His playful antics sent keepers on a comical chase as he slipped away from their grasp, diving back into the pool over and over again.

This wasn’t just any baby hippo — Mars was covered in a special, slippery secretion known as “blood sweat,” which keeps his sensitive skin protected. Combined with his squirmy nature, getting him out was quite the challenge! Noticing the difficulty, the zookeepers had a lightbulb moment: why not call his mother, Posie?

Posie the hippo arrived, and her presence brought an instant change to the atmosphere. The moment she stepped on scene, millions of TikTok viewers witnessed the magical “mom stare.” Just like any good mother, she seemed to communicate a blend of love and just the right amount of authority through her gaze.

According to Dr. Samantha Russak, the zoo’s Curator of Research and Welfare, Posie was keen to get back to her evening meal, which added another layer of urgency to the situation. As Mars continued his splashy antics, she made soft grunts that suggested it was time to cooperate. Her loving impatience was unmistakable, making the little one realize that staying in the pool wasn’t in his best interest.

This universal bond between a mother and her child resonated with many watching at home. Comments flooded in with insights about the “mom stare,” with one viewer humorously declaring, “She must have used all three of his names!” It’s fascinating how such moments transcend species, as another commenter noted, “The ‘mom stare’ is universal in every species.”

Eventually, with a little nudge and that unmistakable “mom stare,” Mars understood he needed to leave the pool behind. He swam over to his mom, who welcomed him with open flippers, leading him toward their cozy shelter.

As the day wound down, the zoo staff and visitors couldn’t help but smile at the heartfelt exchange. This endearing story of Mars and Posie serves as a delightful reminder of the powerful influence of a mother’s love, humorously wrapped in the antics of a baby hippo.

Don’t miss the adorable video capturing this moment! Watch Mars respond to his prompting mom below:

@tanganyikawildlifepark Better listen to mom!
#babyhippo
#hippobaby
#marsthehippo
♬ Funny Song – Funny Song Studio & Thomas Hewitt Jones

Share this charming adventure with your friends and spread the love of Mars and his amazing mom!