If you thought toddlers had the market cornered on tantrums, think again—because a baby hippo named Mars just gave every fussy two-year-old a run for their money.
Zookeepers at Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Kansas shared a hilarious and heart-melting video on July 27 that shows the young hippo refusing to end his day. His handler gently tried everything—redirection, tag, even coaxing him with kindness—but Mars wasn’t budging. He simply wasn’t ready to go inside, and he made sure everyone knew it.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW:
The viral clip has animal lovers everywhere swooning. “That’s the most adorable spicy potato I’ve ever seen!” one viewer wrote, perfectly capturing Mars’ chubby charm and fiery attitude.
Whether you’re a pet parent, dog walker, or vet tech, you know animals come with big feelings in small (and sometimes enormous) packages. From huffy house cats to stubborn squirrels to, yes, pint-sized hippos, the sass is real—and Mars is leading the charge.
He may act tough, but when his handler shows up, it’s all baby energy. And honestly? We’d probably throw a tantrum too if it meant staying outside five more minutes.
Catch the full video on @tanganyikawildlifepark and prepare to fall in love with the grumpiest little hippo on the internet.