I think this may be the definition of bliss, an emotion one wouldn’t normally associate with a hippo. We took this photo on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe.
I didn’t expect hippos to be photogenic, but they kept Peggy and me busy with our cameras. Today’s post will mainly be made up of pictures. Folks who read my long elephant blogs deserve it. LOL. But still, a few facts are in order. I’ll work them into the photos.
My new camera with its super long lens provided plenty of opportunity to get up close and personal with hippos. You could count the whiskers on this guy’s snout. Hippos spend around 16 hours a day in water. Their nose, eyes and ears are all on top of their heads. This allows them to be able to see, hear and breath while being close to submerged— keeping cool and protecting their skin.This is a common photo of hippos in water including males, females, and babies. They like to hang out together in groups of 10-30 known by such names as schools, pods, sieges or bloats. My favorites are the last two. If you were surround by these guys you would definitely feel like you were under siege. As our boat on Lake Kariba in Zambia approached this group of hippos, they were sinking under the water, a normal tactic.These hippos at Lake Kariba provided a photo op. “Okay, everyone, line up. And stop mooning the camera!”The sun was setting on this big fellow when we took our first boat trip on the Chobe River in Botswana. I’d say ‘bloat’ works here. An average female tips the scales at 3000 pounds while a big male can weigh up to 9000.Groups are normally dominated by a large male who is in charge of protection— and mating, which is mainly carried out in the water due to the weight factor. The gestation period is eight months. Moms give birth to one baby weighing 30-50 pounds. The babies can actually nurse under water.Hippopotamus is derived from ‘water horse’ in ancient Greek. Can you imagine trying to ride one? You would probably drown. They can’t swim. Their size and density makes them sink. But they are ideally suited for travel under water and can stay down for five minutes at a time. They actually walk or run along the bottom. Flaps over their noses and ears close automatically when they go under. A special lid covers their eyes. This fellow, BTW, is probably asleep. Hippos can sleep under the water for up to ten hours, automatically rising every five minutes or and so and sucking in air while continuing to snooze. Great whiskers.This was my favorite shot of hippos in the water. Is it a two headed four eared hippo? Grin. Huge odds are not… But I sure couldn’t imagine how they managed to arrange themselves this way. Going for a ride? Breeding? Maybe.The literature emphasizes that hippos stay in the water during the day and come out to graze at night. Fortunately, everywhere we went that included hippos, a few were out happily stuffing themselves on grass. They average around 80 pounds a night/day, traveling some 6 miles (10K) to get their fill. When out in the day, their skin exudes a protective layer that serves as sunblock. A pair of hippos grazing along with oxpeckers. (The birds peck off insects but they also peck holes in the hippos and drink blood. Hmmm, friend or foe?) I’m assuming this is a pair. Males tend to mate for life but are polygamous.Peggy and I took lots of close-ups of the hippos grazing along the river in Chobe National Park, Botswana. Check out the big tusks. They are used for fighting, not grazing.Any large African animal, be it hippo, elephant, Cape buffalo or giraffe, has a coterie of birds that follow along and catch insects the animals stir up.The little guys seem fearless. Is it grabbing an insect from under the hippo’s foot?We liked this head shot.Males are very territorial. It’s one of the things that make them so dangerous. And they have a unique way of marking their territory. They use their tails to fling poop. That’s what is happening here. The tail is moving so fast, it’s a blur. Remember the old statement, “When shit hits the fan.” You don’t want to be around. Hippos can actually fling their stuff for 10 meters, almost 33 feet. Be you man or beast, you might become toast (or possibly a pancake) if the hippo decides you are invading its territory. And they can run up to 30 miles per hour for a short distance, i.e. probably far enough.Imagine being on top of this small hill at Lake Kariba photographing a few tons of hippos as they come charging over. Fortunately, my telephoto lens allowed me to be a long way off.This hippo skull was beside a small road we were following into Matusadona National Park at Lake Kariba. Note the tusks.The park ranger who was taking us on the tour into the park, got out of our safari vehicle to demonstrate how far a hippo can open its jaw.Peggy captured the phenomena on the Chobe River. From a humorous perspective, it appears junior is getting a lecture on his behavior. “Next time you go near that crocodile, I’ll let him eat you!” And look how long the hippo is! A large male can grow up to 16 feet.This is the ultimate picture of a hippo opening its jaws and declaring a territorial challenge, or yawning. Everyone who goes on safari wants to capture one. Believe me, we tried. Our last opportunity was when we were on the Zambezi River outside of Victoria Falls. Unfortunately, we were on the wrong side of the boat. One of our tour group was glad to share.
I’m going to try something now in concluding this post that I rarely do: Share a video. We normally take several for ourselves but not for the blog. Too many oops. Handheld videography has its challenges! But this two minute video shows an excellent example of an elephant-hippo confrontation. It’s worth checking out, even with its occasional shakes. It’s almost funny as the hippo maneuvers his way through the elephants trying to show itself as harmless and submissive as possible— and only raises its head when the elephants are left far behind. You can almost hear its sigh of relief. Enjoy. Click twice on the photo to start the video. On our next post, we will feature giraffes, Peggy’s favorite animal.
I’m really fond of hippos. You got some great photos of them. The video’s great, too. I got a kick out of that cattle egret trailing along behind: another bird that makes a living on insects stirred up by beasties.
When you were in Liberia, did you ever get a chance to see the pygmy hippos that still were in the St. John River? I knew someone who’d seen one, but their nocturnal habits make it tough. There are quite a few in zoos now; here’s a link to an article about the Toronto Zoo’s newest baby. Click on the video; it’s great. It’s interesting, and reasonable, that they share many characteristics with the ones you show here. In Liberia, I did hear the pygmys referred to as “water cows.”
I have some shots of a cattle egret coming up sitting on the back of a Cape buffalo right in the middle of the herd, Linda. We loved the mammal/bird interactions.
It’s hard not to like hippos, from a distance.
No, I never did, Linda. The little guy in the video you linked to is a really cutie! Thanks.
When you mentioned how big a female hippopotamus can get, I couldn’t help but think of a favourite scene from Madagascar 2, when Gloria (the hippo) meets a hippo name Moto Moto for the first time. His opening line? “Goodness girl, you huge.” Which is, naturally, a compliment.
Your video was more entertaining than the one I included, ha ha. What a cool clip of that hippo walking through the danger zone. I loved all your hippo photos, Curt. It’s the first time I knew they had whiskers. That lens must be so much fun.
That hippo with the elephants was not going to do anything to irritate them! That’s for sure, Crystal. I’m surprised it just didn’t make a wide detour. It was small and probably young.
The new camera is a kick. It’s amazing what they can do digitally now. One lens handles everything from close-ups to the distance shots on a camera that weighs about a pound.
A great post and the hippos look content enough. Goeing through the herd of elephants was friendly enough but the hippo was on alert ready to bolt if charged by a stroppy elephant.
I’ve never seen such great photos of hippos, Curt. And that is some jaw! I also didn’t realize how long they could grow to be. Huge! Fabulous post, as always!
Loved this post. Now know more about hippos than I ever thought I would. Flinging poop – I can’t unknow that now 😂
The video was fabulous!
A recurring thought throughout the entire time I was looking at your photos was they are not one of God’s prettier creatures are they? 😂
Alison
Pretty no, except to another hippo I’m sure. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right. Grin. But they sure as heck were photogenic. You were learning about hippos right along with me, Alison. Thanks as always. –Curt
They are dangerous bu**ers. I was lucky enough to meet an orphan baby hippo In Zambia being looked after by the authorities. I was rather young (sixish) and able to sit on its back before it trotted off down the slope into the small lake. I had sore smile muscles for quite some time.
At least your posh camera was able to give us fabulous views while keeping you at arms length.
On one of my earlier posts on elephants, we were able to experience the up close contact, AC. Maybe not hippos but very special.
I have a lot of fun with the camera and I bought it specifically to go on the Africa trip… one of the best investments of my life.
It seems a requirement to have that camera once you’ve made your booking. Nobody ever regrets it!
For sure… 🙂
Fascinating animals, Curt. They’re huge. I’ve always heard that they’re one of the more dangerous animals. Great photos and I enjoyed the video. That guy was stepping lightly and keeping his head down, for sure. Thanks for the fun post!
Considering how big and scary hippos are, it’s sobering seeing how circumspect that hippo was while passing through the elephant herd. A female, maybe? Gives me an even greater respect for elephants.
Possibly, Dave. Or a youngster. Or possibly ill. I think its decision making was a bit off for the path it chose.
I looked at a video some one made of a pair of lions taking down a hippo and then a pair of its buddies came by. Those lions skedaddled!
Hippos and elephants, from my limited perspective, didn’t usually hassle each other.
Wandering through Time and Place 
Great photos and commentary!! Thanks!!
Much appreciated!
I’m really fond of hippos. You got some great photos of them. The video’s great, too. I got a kick out of that cattle egret trailing along behind: another bird that makes a living on insects stirred up by beasties.
When you were in Liberia, did you ever get a chance to see the pygmy hippos that still were in the St. John River? I knew someone who’d seen one, but their nocturnal habits make it tough. There are quite a few in zoos now; here’s a link to an article about the Toronto Zoo’s newest baby. Click on the video; it’s great. It’s interesting, and reasonable, that they share many characteristics with the ones you show here. In Liberia, I did hear the pygmys referred to as “water cows.”
I have some shots of a cattle egret coming up sitting on the back of a Cape buffalo right in the middle of the herd, Linda. We loved the mammal/bird interactions.
It’s hard not to like hippos, from a distance.
No, I never did, Linda. The little guy in the video you linked to is a really cutie! Thanks.
When you mentioned how big a female hippopotamus can get, I couldn’t help but think of a favourite scene from Madagascar 2, when Gloria (the hippo) meets a hippo name Moto Moto for the first time. His opening line? “Goodness girl, you huge.” Which is, naturally, a compliment.
A huge compliment. 🙂
ha ha!
Your video was more entertaining than the one I included, ha ha. What a cool clip of that hippo walking through the danger zone. I loved all your hippo photos, Curt. It’s the first time I knew they had whiskers. That lens must be so much fun.
That hippo with the elephants was not going to do anything to irritate them! That’s for sure, Crystal. I’m surprised it just didn’t make a wide detour. It was small and probably young.
The new camera is a kick. It’s amazing what they can do digitally now. One lens handles everything from close-ups to the distance shots on a camera that weighs about a pound.
Hippos are one of my favourites. Thanks for all the great pics and the video. Easy to see that he/she was moseying along trying to be invisible.
Yep! “I’m really not here, and even if I am, it won’t be for long.”
A great post and the hippos look content enough. Goeing through the herd of elephants was friendly enough but the hippo was on alert ready to bolt if charged by a stroppy elephant.
That hippo knew it was time to mind his manners, Girard! “Yes sir, Madame elephant.Just passing through. I’ll be out of here in a jiffy”
I can’t help but think of the Gayla Peevey song – I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas!
Had to go listen to it. 🙄 My immediate thought was that it might be harder to get the hippo through the door than Santa down the chimney.
Love the belchers!!
They were fun, from a distance. On Monday, BTW, I have a Cindy-type blog featuring birds.
I’ve never seen such great photos of hippos, Curt. And that is some jaw! I also didn’t realize how long they could grow to be. Huge! Fabulous post, as always!
Well thanks, Lauren. Appreciated. It’s hard to think of them as photogenic. 🙂 But there they were!
And so photogenic, Curt! 🙂
Photogenic, yes!
Loved this post. Now know more about hippos than I ever thought I would. Flinging poop – I can’t unknow that now 😂
The video was fabulous!
A recurring thought throughout the entire time I was looking at your photos was they are not one of God’s prettier creatures are they? 😂
Alison
Pretty no, except to another hippo I’m sure. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right. Grin. But they sure as heck were photogenic. You were learning about hippos right along with me, Alison. Thanks as always. –Curt
They are dangerous bu**ers. I was lucky enough to meet an orphan baby hippo In Zambia being looked after by the authorities. I was rather young (sixish) and able to sit on its back before it trotted off down the slope into the small lake. I had sore smile muscles for quite some time.
I’ll bet, AC. That would be a treasured memory forever. Thanks for sharing it. 🙂
At least your posh camera was able to give us fabulous views while keeping you at arms length.
On one of my earlier posts on elephants, we were able to experience the up close contact, AC. Maybe not hippos but very special.
I have a lot of fun with the camera and I bought it specifically to go on the Africa trip… one of the best investments of my life.
It seems a requirement to have that camera once you’ve made your booking. Nobody ever regrets it!
For sure… 🙂
Fascinating animals, Curt. They’re huge. I’ve always heard that they’re one of the more dangerous animals. Great photos and I enjoyed the video. That guy was stepping lightly and keeping his head down, for sure. Thanks for the fun post!
Glad you enjoyed it, D. Catching the hippo making its way through the elephants was one of those special moments that one can only hope for.
Er, um, excuse me, just passing through…
Considering how big and scary hippos are, it’s sobering seeing how circumspect that hippo was while passing through the elephant herd. A female, maybe? Gives me an even greater respect for elephants.
Possibly, Dave. Or a youngster. Or possibly ill. I think its decision making was a bit off for the path it chose.
I looked at a video some one made of a pair of lions taking down a hippo and then a pair of its buddies came by. Those lions skedaddled!
Hippos and elephants, from my limited perspective, didn’t usually hassle each other.
Or maybe it was a “teenager”, responding to a dare…
Or a double or triple dare!