Think Hippo Milk Actually Pink? You've Been Fooled

If you've spent any time browsing those "amazing facts" posts that pop up in everybody's Facebook feeds every so often, you've probably come across the above photo, followed by the "fact" that hippopotamus milk is pink. It's a fun and easy thing to believe; someone must have milked a hippo at some point and noticed it, right? But have you ever wondered whether it's actually true?

Well, the good folks at Snopes decided to investigate the matter, and we hate to break it to you, but this "fact" is simply not true. What is true is that hippos secrete a reddish substance from their skin called hipposudoric acid, which acts as a natural suntan lotion, but the milk that they produce is white or beige, just like every other animal's milk.

But what about the photo of the supposed hippo milk? Well, here's another thing we hate to break to you: The source of that photo is a vegan-focused Greek blog called Veggie Wedgie, and it's of something called a "strawberry unmilkshake," made with almonds, water, and strawberries. We have to admit, it would be a lot cooler if it was actually a photo of pink hippo milk.