I love this hippo, and not just because we are both named Jessica. It’s something about the way she trundles into a human kitchen and makes a “put food in me!” face like a baby bird.

hippo_kitchen

Also, she drinks coffee! What??

Reader support helps sustain our work. Donate today to keep our climate news free. All donations DOUBLED!

hippo_coffee

Grist thanks its sponsors. Become one.

And gets a massage before bed!

hippo_massage

And then curls up with the dog!

hippo_dog

Grist thanks its sponsors. Become one.

Plus, she’s a heartwarming rescue story — her human handlers found her stranded by floodwaters when she was only a day old. She still hangs out with wild hippos, but is perfectly happy living in a house and getting food shoved in her face by adoring humans. And who wouldn’t be? Heck, maybe I’ll go to South Africa and be all “I’m Jessica too, rub my head and give me coffee.”