Leeds stuffed hippo could help scientists uncover the secrets of whiskers
Century old stuffed hippo Billie lives at the Leeds Discovery Centre - which is run by the city's museums service
Last updated 25th Apr 2025
A century old stuffed hippo living at a Leeds museum could help provide scientists with clues as to how mammals use their whiskers.
Billie, who lives at the Leeds Discovery Centre, was recently part of a new study to explore how the number of whiskers an animal has can help them sense the world around them.
The hippo was a former resident at London Zoo in the 1920s, with his taxidermized body being acquired by Leeds Museums in 1938.
This new study is thought to be the first time hippopotamus whiskers have ever been examined in such detail.
Sensory biologist Dr Robyn A Grant, who led the study, said: “Whiskers are present on most mammals, and act as amazingly sensitive touch sensors. In my research, I try to understand the diversity of whisker numbers and arrangements across mammals.
“We can see that some large aquatic species, like hippos, walruses and manatees have hundreds of very small whiskers. While walruses and manatees have been studied a little, hippo whiskers have never been looked at.
“So, we are looking at hippo whiskers for the very first time. Working with zoos and museums such as Leeds Discovery Centre, we are trying to understand how the whiskers are arranged, and what the animals use them for.”
Other animals in the Leeds Museums collection who had their whiskers studied included a chinchilla, harp seals and a coypu, a large South American rodent.