Two hungry hippos have had their Christmas dinner early this year – but humans might not be as excited by the treat, which consisted purely of Brussels sprouts.

Four-year-old common hippopotamus Hodor and his mum, Lola – who weighs 1.5 tonnes – were served up their 5kg snack by zookeepers at Whipsnade Zoo earlier this week.

An adorable video shows the pair walking into their enclosure, where they discover two piles of the vegetable laid out on the floor, and happily begin munching on their festive food.

The mammoth pachyderms immediately devoured the pile of 260 Brussels sprouts, hoovering them up with their massive mouths in a matter of minutes.

Some of the vegetables took a tumble into their pool but the pair were quick to dive in for a quick game of bobbing for sprouts, floating in what looked like a river of gravy.

Accompanying photos feature Hodor and Lola – who weighs 1.5 tonnes – in the water, bobbing for sprouts, appearing to have a right jolly time.

Although the hippos had never tried sprouts before, their keepers were hopeful that it could become a new favourite, based on their love of cabbages and the similarity between the leafy vegetables.

“If you think the Brussels sprouts on your Christmas Day plate are unappetising, just look at these sprouts, bobbing around the hippo pool," said team leader Mark Holden.

"Hodor and Lola not only seem to think Brussels sprouts are an unmatched delicacy, but they are very happy scooping any runaway veg out of their brown, wallowing-pool with their giant jaws!

“Some people are worried that eating Brussels sprouts on Christmas Day might give them flatulence, but that’s just everyday life for a hippopotamus! They defecate to mark their territory, so they certainly don’t mind a bit of ‘wind’ between family members!”

Two hungry hippos have had their Christmas dinner early this year – but humans might not be as excited by the treat, which consisted purely of Brussels sprouts.

Four-year-old common hippopotamus Hodor and his mum, Lola – who weighs 1.5 tonnes – were served up their 5kg snack by zookeepers at Whipsnade Zoo earlier this week.

An adorable video shows the pair walking into their enclosure, where they discover two piles of the vegetable laid out on the floor, and happily begin munching on their festive food.

The mammoth pachyderms immediately devoured the pile of 260 Brussels sprouts, hoovering them up with their massive mouths in a matter of minutes.

Some of the vegetables took a tumble into their pool but the pair were quick to dive in for a quick game of bobbing for sprouts, floating in what looked like a river of gravy.

Accompanying photos feature Hodor and Lola – who weighs 1.5 tonnes – in the water, bobbing for sprouts, appearing to have a right jolly time.

Although the hippos had never tried sprouts before, their keepers were hopeful that it could become a new favourite, based on their love of cabbages and the similarity between the leafy vegetables.

“If you think the Brussels sprouts on your Christmas Day plate are unappetising, just look at these sprouts, bobbing around the hippo pool," said team leader Mark Holden.

"Hodor and Lola not only seem to think Brussels sprouts are an unmatched delicacy, but they are very happy scooping any runaway veg out of their brown, wallowing-pool with their giant jaws!

“Some people are worried that eating Brussels sprouts on Christmas Day might give them flatulence, but that’s just everyday life for a hippopotamus! They defecate to mark their territory, so they certainly don’t mind a bit of ‘wind’ between family members!”

Families wanting to walk-off their Christmas dinner can visit Lola and Hodor, as well as elephants, tigers and 9,500 more animals at Whipsnade Zoo throughout December.