Hippos, often known as river horses, may be widely thought of as herbivores, but recently captured photographs shared to the SANParks Kruger National Park Facebook page reveal the animals’ carnivorous side.
Danie Bester, an avid wildlife photographer, captured and shared the images which show three hippos fearlessly stealing the hunt of a crocodile and dragging it further into the waters.
Bester described the incident captured near Shingwedzi after a few crocodiles captured a Nyala, a spiral-horned antelope found in Southern Africa.
‘The hippos […] took the carcass away from the crocs. They then started feeding on the dead buck while chasing the crocs that came too close,’ he said.
The photographs also show how the three hippos attempt to clench their powerful jaws around the neck of the antelope.
Danie Bester/ Facebook/ SANParks Kruger National Park, dragging the hippo down into the water.
Danie Bester/ Facebook/ SANParks Kruger National Park – Hippos feast over Nyala
After initially encircling the three hippos in the water, the crocodiles decided to let go of the buck.
‘It was a feeding frenzy with more than ten crocs getting in on the action. It did not take long before there was nothing left of the buck,’ Bester said.
Danie Bester/ Facebook – a group of crocodiles feasting over a Nyala
Bester was thankful to witness such a rare interaction between the different species.
‘Crocs were pulling and twisting with each swimming away with a chunk of meat and bones. It was awesome to watch.’
Danie Bester/ Facebook – a group of crocodiles in a feeding frenzy.
Danie Bester/ Facebook – a group of crocodiles feasting over a Nyala
Facts about Hippos
Hippos are not herbivores but are in fact considered omnivorous mammals, grazing on grass and sometimes consuming other animals. They are known for their impressive speed on land, which they use to catch animals.
The mammals are semi-aquatic, spending up to 16 hours a day submerged underwater. Their jaws are powerful enough for them to snap a canoe in half with one bite.
According to reports by National Geographic, in 2014 conservation biologist Leejiah Dorward witnessed a hippo consuming the corpse of another hippo at the Kruger National Park.
This sighting of cannibalism in hippos is a rare occurrence.
Hippos secrete a red oil-like substance from their skin which is reported to be a skin moistener and a protective mechanism against germs.
Picture: Unsplash
