A zookeeper confirmed his bravery right here as he checked the tooth of a resident hippo and plucked out muck that might result in dental points.

The footage was shared on social media by "Zookeeper Man", higher often known as Brian from Copenhagen Zoo within the Danish capital Copenhagen, with the message: "Fast mouth test on Komtu to verify the whole lot seems to be okay, it often is.

"On this one, you possibly can very clearly see his 'two sorts of tooth' configuration. Up entrance he has the large sharp canines within the decrease jaw, these match the flat grinding tooth within the higher jaw, it is that small flat one that appears prefer it's damaged, it isn't.

"That is the tooth that sharpens these large backside ones, they usually get actual sharp, like a razor. Within the center now we have the incisors, these are the large spherical ones, trying like two items of bamboo protruding of his mouth.

"Some hippos primarily males could have these rising out of their mouths like tusks on elephant. They're going to often maintain them trimmed down, by rubbing and grinding towards the bottom whereas consuming.

"Komtu has exceptionally giant incisors, and as soon as each 5-6 years we assist out by trimming them again a bit, for his consolation.

"Entrance tooth, all of them up entrance, are pure ivory, no nerves in them, they will break off proper down by the jaw, they usually simply begin rising again out.

"They're primarily used for show and to scare off rivals, or for threats, and if that is not working, the preventing begins. Hippos don't again off.

"Lastly approach within the again, now we have the precise molars, these are 'actual' tooth, large grinding, chewing tooth, used to chop and grind grass which is their main meals supply, a number of grass."

Hippo, zoo, zookeeper
A zookeeper named Brian, from Copenhagen, Denmark, movies within a hippo's mouth. Notice: Image is a screenshot from a video @zookeeperguy/Zenger

Brian, 47, who has labored as a zookeeper at Copenhagen Zoo for 23 years, mentioned he had been finishing up each day duties with the hippos for the final 13 years.

Brian advised Newsflash: "We've got three hippos, two females and a male. Within the footage, I'm not brushing their tooth, however checking their mouths for bruises or something out of the extraordinary. I additionally test their tooth frequently to verify they aren't damaged or broken, which might trigger ache and hassle consuming.

"Being near hippos can after all be harmful, however what you are seeing here's a results of working with these stunning animals for a few years.

He added: "We use solely optimistic reinforcement when working with them, that means they take part freely and may depart any time they really feel prefer it."

Brian advised Newsflash: "As a deal with, we often give the hippos apples as they're straightforward to get all yr spherical."

This story was offered to Newsweek by Zenger Information.