Hippopotamuses love water, which is why the Greeks named them the “river horse.” Hippos spend up to 16 hours a day submerged in rivers and lakes to keep their massive bodies cool under the hot African sun. Hippos are graceful in water, good swimmers, and can hold their breath underwater for up to five minutes.
The de.ath of a hippo provides a meal for the Nile’s most fea.rs.ome predator, the crocodile.
Kate Humble and Simon King follow the animals living along Zambia’s Luangwa River, as a long dry season comes to an end.
“The crocs will take every opportunity to prey on a weak animal” – I’ve seen a video where a croc was reluctant and keeping himself from attacking a young hippo because he knew that his parents were nearby and he would get in trouble for doing that.
