The Deadly Nature of Hippos in Africa

Safari Series • Tanzania Africa Safari...
Hippo is the MOST dangerous animal in Africa. It is estimated that hippo attacks kill 500 people each year in Africa. Makes you wonder…… these animals….are big and appear to be slow-moving. Oh but don’t let that deceive you! Running, they can match the speed of a human on land. You cannot outrun a hippos. This big fella can run 30 miles per hour - almost 43 kph. So…..if you find yourself in this situation…….best to climb a tree. They are much faster and more dangerous in the water.
Why…..would the hippo attack you? Well……….they are territorial in the water…..so….if they feel threatened they will become aggressive towards you. When their areas are crowded they have to compete for resources and they will charge at anything that they perceive as a threat.
To stay cool in the blistering African heat, hippos spend most of their day in rivers and lakes. Their eyes, nose and ears are located on the top of their head, which means they can see and breathe whilst submerged in the water. Males measure around 3.5m long and 1.5m tall, and can weigh up to 3,200kg. That’s as much as three small cars! A sweat an oily red liquid which helps protect their skin from drying out - and acts as a sunblock, too.
Hippos are most active at night, when they forage for food. They are herbivores, and eat mostly grass - and boy do they eat grass! In just one night, they can guzzle down up to 77 lbs or 35kg of their favorite grub! Hippos usually live in groups (or “herds”) of around ten to 20 individuals, led by one large dominant male. The other members are females, their young and a few young non-breeding males. Dominant males are very protective over their group. To warn off rival males, they open their huge mouths and display their long, curved canines! They also make loud grunts and aggressive splashes in the water.
In the wild hippos live for around 40 years. In captivity, they tend to live longer and may reach up to 50 years old.

Пікірлер: 16

  • @lorihenderson5641
    @lorihenderson56412 ай бұрын

    What a trip!

  • @kimhale9914
    @kimhale99142 ай бұрын

    "They stink" is putting it mildly

  • @travelwiththehales

    @travelwiththehales

    2 ай бұрын

    Hippos sure know how to make an entrance, even with their smell!

  • @lindanair8919
    @lindanair89192 ай бұрын

    Great narration! I learned a lot of stuff I didn't know before. Also really, really great video. Thank you for sharing!

  • @travelwiththehales

    @travelwiththehales

    2 ай бұрын

    Thank you !

  • @ZahraNizami-zt4th
    @ZahraNizami-zt4th6 күн бұрын

    I didn't know it's the MOST dangerous animal! Great video.

  • @travelwiththehales

    @travelwiththehales

    4 күн бұрын

    The were HUGE!!

  • @nonesuch-uw7vh
    @nonesuch-uw7vh2 күн бұрын

    Yikes, i can tell it wouldn't smell too great LOL

  • @nashvillecruising7373
    @nashvillecruising73732 ай бұрын

    I've played hungry hungry hippo game so I am an expert of hippos

  • @travelwiththehales

    @travelwiththehales

    2 ай бұрын

    Sounds like an expert to me. (Smile)

  • @timkile2533
    @timkile2533Ай бұрын

    How close do you have to get to sniff a hippo?

  • @travelwiththehales

    @travelwiththehales

    Ай бұрын

    I would not want to test those limits ....but they did smell from afar.

  • @lydiad6771
    @lydiad67712 ай бұрын

    I can smell this video💀

  • @travelwiththehales

    @travelwiththehales

    2 ай бұрын

    They definitely have a smell.

  • @PhotosGoogle-zv4be
    @PhotosGoogle-zv4be15 күн бұрын

    Smelly animal, but magnificent nonetheless. 😀

  • @travelwiththehales

    @travelwiththehales

    13 күн бұрын

    They were HUGE and were so unique