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Hippopotamus amphibius
Hippopotamus amphibius
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Hippopotamus amphibius
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Beverly Joubert: " Hippos are such important animals in environments like the Okavango. Not only do they create pathways through thick vegetation and reeds, but they help to maintain short grass lawns which are nutrient-rich and easily grazed by other animals. Birds love them too and stick close by while they disturb hordes of tasty insects... ".
Beverly Joubert: " African darters are excellent swimmers but their feathers are not as waterproof as many. It's essential for them to spread their wings and dry out after a dive, but when the ground is sodden, dry perches can be hard to come by...and sometimes surprisingly mobile. "
" The hippo kills more people every year than any other animal in Africa. The image isn’t just a hippo yawning because he is tired or lazy. This almost 180 degree open mouth is one in which a hippo displays stress. The “yawn” is meant to be a warning to everyone intruding it’s land. "
 
A muddy angry hippopotamus. Lake Mburo National Park. Uganda, December 2019.
©Xavier Surinyach Mateu.  *This image is copyright of its original author
Beverly Joubert: " For hippos, a prime spot in the river is worth fighting for. These massive mammals spend as many as 16 hours a day submerged in the water where they are safe from the scorching heat of the African sun. Disputes over territory are inevitable. These battles usually involve a lot of spectacular splashing, some guttural grunting and a fair dose of mouth gaping. It’s mostly a show of force – a display to prove which animal is more dominant. But when water is scare and aquatic real estate is tough to come by, fights can escalate and lead to serious injury or even death. "
Spectacular !
Jens Cullmann: " Another day, another monkey rescue ... this vervet monkey got at the same puddle stuck as the one, I posted last week. the difference is just, behind this one was this huge hippo bull. I don’t know how, but somehow I managed to ,probably annoy the hippo with my presence, to walk out of this mud paddle. Unfortunately half way gone, it turned around and started running towards me. Image three was the only not blurry picture. After that I fled/run in the opposite direction. (my first hippo attack, and luckily this hippo stopped after a few meters again ?) ... unfortunately it was still around but fortunately a bit further away. When I went back to the monkey, I was scared, that it might attack again. But luckily I could get this monkey easy out with a long branch. "
Jens Cullmann: " just get lost!!! ... hippo-language is quite straightforward …. I have encountered these magnificent mammal a few times (see my previous posts) and I never cease to be amazed by their size and spectacular force. Some facts: an adult Hippo needs to resurface every 3-5 minutes to breathe and is only territorial while in the water. This huge amazing semiaquatic mammal is one of only two existent species of the family Hippopotamidae. The word comes from the ancient Greek for ‘river horse’. . "
Beverly Joubert: " Despite those dainty looking legs, hippos are capable of running at very impressive speeds – up to about 30km/h if they are really in a hurry! These typically languid mega mammals spend much of their time in the coolness of the water avoiding the harsh, African sun. When night falls, they emerge from the safety of their watery abodes to feast on grasses and green shoots. This galloping behemoth did not stay exposed to the sun for very long and soon slipped into a nearby spillway, content to wait for darkness before venturing out. "
Nelis Wolmarans: " The early morning sun reflecting of the bank, combined with the curiosity of the hippos made for a great photo opportunity... "
 (04-16-2019, 10:23 PM)Pckts Wrote: ABSOLUTE GANGSTA
Marlon du Toit: " Mom & baby hippo frolic in the Luangwa River while a Pied Wagtail watches on. "
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