Even baby hippo star Moo Deng has beauty woes - suffering from dry skin and stretch marks as the colder weather sets in.

The four-month-old international sensation gained millions of fans from her cute looks and playful antics at her zoo in eastern Thailand.

But with winter arriving, the diva is avoiding baths. It means that cracks and stretch marks are appearing on her skin from spending too much time under the sun.

The keeper said: 'Moo Deng doesn't want to stay in the water because it's too cold now.'

Moo Deng's carer noticed the animal's shiny and dry skin in her enclosure at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi on December 1.

Footage shows the zoo staff touching Moo Deng's behind. The skin of the hippo can be seen with cracks, resembling stretch marks.

They explained that Hippos may spend more time out of the water. When this happens, their skin can become dry and cracked if they are exposed to the sun for too long.

To prevent this, hippos secrete a red, oily substance that acts as a natural sunscreen and moisturiser.

Moo Deng was born on July 20, 2024, to her parents Tony and Jonah, and was named Moo Deng, which means bouncy pig, through a public poll, with more than 20,000 people voting.

She drew crowds to the zoo after gaining popularity in September 2024 as a popular internet meme, following trending images of her emerging online.

Her fame surged when the zoo posted pictures of her on its Facebook page, showcasing her in funny gestures.

Due to her popularity, the number of daily visitors to the zoo doubled in early September.
The Zoological Park Organization of Thailand reported that the number of tourists visiting reached 159,743, a significant increase from August's total of 98,046.

The pygmy hippopotamus is listed as an endangered species on the IUCN Red List and is classified under Appendix II of CITES.

Pygmy hippos are small hippopotamids native to the forests and swamps of West Africa, primarily in Liberia, with small populations in Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Ivory Coast.