When someone watches a video of Mars, the baby pygmy hippo, they could be forgiven for mistaking him for a potato with legs. This potato-looking hippo has recently entered his “Roman empire” phase. What does that mean exactly? Well, it means that Mars is enjoying the best belly rubs ever!
In this precious video below, Mars rolls over onto his side in the most adorable way imaginable as he is overcome with pure joy as one of his human caretakers gives him a very satisfying belly rub. Without a doubt, Mars is one baby pygmy hippo who is living his best life!
Does Mars have any idea how good he has it? We certainly hope so. If his priceless expression in this video is anything to go by, we think he might have a pretty good idea of the fact that he is living the good life. We also imagine that he might have an idea of just how darn cute he is, too.
Related: Baby Hippo Baking Like a ‘Potato’ in the Sun Refuses To Go Inside and It’s a Total Vibe
While we have seen many baby animals roll over on their sides while receiving all kinds of affectionate pets and scratches, we have never seen one do it quite like Mars does in this footage. His expression is priceless. In fact, he doesn’t really make much of an expression at all; he just has a look of utter bliss and, without any thought or hesitation, rolls over onto his side as he leaves this world for cloud nine.
Mars Is Winning the Internet
A pygmy hippo taking a nap.Image via Shutterstock/Sanit Fuangnakhon
(Image via Shutterstock/Sanit Fuangnakhon)
Viewers on social media had a lot to say about this one. Many people on social media declared that even though Mars is just a baby, he already acts like the entire world is his oyster: “Still a baby but already a king.”
While some viewers on social media noted that their “Roman Empire” would simply be to give Mars some loving pets and scratches: “Peak happiness for me would be giving him the scratchies.”
And some social media users commented that this is absolutely what peak happiness looks like, as far as potatoes are concerned: “There isn’t a happier potato on the face of the earth.”
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This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Mar 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.