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May 20, 2005

Living With Predators - Hippos

Most people think hippos are fat, squat docile creatures that bob up and down in the rivers and lakes of Africa much as the manatee, or sea cow, does off the coast of Florida. Cute pastel versions are portrayed in the Milton Bradley pre-school game Hungry Hungry Hippos.

But do you know what African animal kills more people per year than any other? Surprisingly, it's not the lion. Hippos are the most feared animals in Africa. Each year more people are killed by hippos than by all the other animals combined. They bite people, trample people, flip boats, and otherwise inspire fear in people throughout Africa.

On my last visit to Africa, I got to experience these creature - up close and personal. During one rather foolish encounter on our part, we left the safety of our vehicle to look over a rise, only to see a herd of hippos grazing on the other side of a river, about 1/8 of a mile away. We were standing upwind of the herd, and within seconds they had scented us, and went charging into the river in such a violent fashion that we also went charging - straight back to the car. Another day, when we were taking a guided walk in Kruger National Park, South Africa, we walked quietly along a riverbank (quietly so as not to attract the crocs) and came upon some rather disgruntled hippos in the water. Despite being trained otherwise, the armed guides braved the hippo's displeasure and approached very close - ignoring warning signs like snorting, wiggling their ears and showing teeth. Our party hung back, poised to bolt for safety. Yet another experience involved an adult female hippo and a newly born calf. Just after dusk, a rather foolish lioness attacked the pair, only to be thrashed soundly by mama.

Hippos are very fierce and very misunderstood. For example:

Claim: Hippos stay in the water all the time
Fact: Each evening, hippos leave the water and graze on the land, sometimes miles from their primary water source. They also like to sun themselves during the day, but don't often stray far from the safety of the water.

Claim: Hippos are excellent swimmers
Fact: Hippos don't actually swim very well. Instead, they bounce off the bottom. Young calves often bounce on their mother's back in order to breath more often, and in deeper water.

Claim: Hippos are slow & clumsy.
Fact: Hippos are agile both in and out of the water. Outrunning them is often futile.

Claim: Hippos are very fat
Fact: Although they're barrel shaped, they actually have very little fat on them.

Claim: Hippos yawn because they're tired
Fact: Hippos show their teeth as a threat gesture

Male hippos are highly territorial and actually have rather complex rituals for confrontation between challengers. I've also seen adult hippos (very likely mothers) mock-fight with their young. In National Geographic's Most Amazing Moments, they included a rare scene of an alpha male killing a young hippo calf because it was not his offspring.

But one of the most affecting features of the hippo for me has always been its vocalization. I spent some time at Shimuwini bush camp on the banks of the Letaba River. A heard of hippos lingered along the banks, not 100ft from our backdoor, making the snorts and grunts.

Check out our Frolicking Hippos podcast - a video program highlighting these playful animals!

Check out our Kenya Waterhole podcast - a video program experiencing a sunrise in Africa!

Posted by sorsha at May 20, 2005 1:37 PM