Are you looking at me? Hungry hippo who stares down guests at San Antonio zoo

Pictures show hungry hippo up-close and personal

A hungry hippo stares intently at a schoolboy - before exploding from its watery lair in spectacular fashion.



The weighty mammal is first seen pressing its long face against the glass of an enclosure at San Antonio Zoo in Texas.



But not content with simply eyeballing passersby, it then roars to the surface stretching out its gaping mouth to the limit.



Back at you: A hippopotamus stares at the photographer from its enclosure at the San Antonio Zoo in Texas.

Hippo mad: A hungry hippopotamus roars up to get a treat in front of a schoolboy at the San Antonio Zoo in Texas.

Pressing on: The weighty mammal presses its grey face to a thick pane

But far from being angry or moody, this hippo was simply hungry and only acting as a part show in return for treats.



Photographer Olya Soloviova, 27, who moved from the Ukraine two years ago, said: ‘That hippo is my favourite resident at the zoo. He seems satisfied with his life - if a little lazy.



She added: ‘In these pictures he looked like he still felt in charge of the situation despite all the happy kids screaming and laughing.



‘I do not know the boy in my picture; he was just one of the guests at the zoo.



Happy hippo: The unusual scene unfolded at San Antonio Zoo, Texas

Enormous: The hippo seen in its enclosure at the San Antonio Zoo in Texas

‘The board which he is holding is what they call a 'target'. The hippo is supposed to put his entire face on the target and hold it for a few seconds and then he gets treats.



‘I was really excited to see a hippo that close. It's a very unique feeling to be that close to such a big animal.

