With enormous ivory canines, huge gaping mouth and aggressive tendencies, it is easy to see why first time safari goers think hippos are carnivores. It is, in fact, a commonly asked question by foreign guests whether hippos are Carnivorous. Patiently I always explain that although potentially dangerous to humans, these rotund creatures are in fact herbivores and subsist mainly on grass alone. However, as we all know, the only rule in nature is that there are no hard and fast rules…
Whilst out on a drive at Londolozi Game Reserve my guests and I witnessed something that is not in the ranger manual. A lion pride in the area had managed to kill a large male buffalo as the dusk set in. We sat watching them feed until all the other vehicles left and we sat alone with our spotlight on the pride. They had eaten their fill and some of the lions were sleeping nearby whilst the remainder sat with the carcass. The tearing of meat gave way to bushes cracking and rustling as a large hippo sauntered off one of the game paths. We all sat back in our seats and watched with interest to see how this interaction would unfold.
Hippo approaching a pride of lion on buffalo kill
At first the pride paid no attention to the intruder, ignoring him as he sidled over towards the buffalo kill. It was only when he was within 15 meters did a few of the younger lions sit up and watch him approach. By the time the hippo was 4 meters away, the rest of the pride slowly moved out of the firing line and onto the other side of the kill. Upon yawning, the hippos massive canines bulged out in the direction of the lions causing a few of them to jump up and run away. Surely the building tension would explode, sending lions flying and canines gnashing in all directions?
Hippo yawning with massive canines
To my amazement the hippo walked up to the carcass and began licking the blood and flesh. Only a few seconds later the lions returned to feed as well. On opposite ends of the carcass both lions and hippo stood at the kill. The stomach contents of the buffalo lay on the the floor and soon after arriving the hippo began to eat the partially digested grass that had been contained in one of the buffalo’s stomach chambers. He then turned and continued along the game path, disappearing into the darkness of the bush.
Hippo and lions feeding off the same carcass
This was an amazing site to see and in all my years of guiding I have never witnessed anything like this before. What struck me was how civil the lions and hippo were towards one another. Tolerating each other so much that at one point they stood only 30 centimeters apart.
Hippo and lions feeding off the same carcass
My analysis would be that the hippo was gaining salts and moisture from the blood and then taking advantage of the opportunity to feed on a large pile of freshly chewed grass. It is however, only an opinion and I welcome any thoughts or comments on this interaction to be added into the discussion. This is proof once more that there truly aren’t any hard and fast rules in the African wilderness.
Written and Photographed by: Chris Goodman
Wow, the bush truly manages to surprise on a constant basis. You really do “learn something everyday” out there. Its amazing how they seem to almost be in symbiosis. A little mutual understanding, I think the lions are aware (after that lovely canine bearing yawn) that the hippo would do some serious damage if a fight broke out 🙂
as always, awesome stuff!
Perhaps it is mutual understanding, but more often than not I believe that animals will avoid conflict where they can…. I do find it surprising behaviour on the part of the hippo as they are naturally shy, vulnerable (and thus defensively aggressive) animals when out of the water. Do you think it was because he was probably a bit older and experienced or simply saw food that the wanted?
What an incredible story! Just shows there are no set behavioural rules in the bush! thanks for sharing your experience and the great photos!
Sheila
What an amazing set of images – I think this behaviour reveals a couple of things: firstly, that the hippo has evolved from a pig-like (and thus omnivorous) ancestor. I’ve seen hippos in Botswana sharing a carcass with crocodiles and even a baby hippo nibbling on a piece of meat. There appears to be a gene hidden away on the hippo’s DNA that kicks in when meat presents itself though don’t quote me on that …
Secondly, it is interesting to see how different species of animal co-habit the same space provided there is no danger/competition. The lions obviously decided that the hippo was not a threat, they had plenty of food and could spare a few bites – what if the lions were hungry and squabbling over a far smaller prey item? Would’ve been interesting …
I agree with Dominic, the rules seem to change between animals when any food source is in abundance. I have recently seen leopard and hyena feeding at the same carcass, the kill was a large kudu and there was more than enough meat for both predators.
It sheds a different light on predator mentality.
Interesting you brought that sighting up Chris as this was the first thing that came to my mind when Dominic mentioned ‘different species of animal co-habit the same space….’ For those of you who haven’t seen it, take a look at http://blog.londolozi.com/2010/09/maxabeni-brothers-chased-off-kudu-kill/
I definitely think that if the food source (buffalo) had not been in such abundance in the case of the lions, they would have been alot more reluctant to share the carcass and could potentially have viewed the hippo as a prey source. I am still quite perplexed that the hippo would put itself in such a precarious situation just for a portion of freshly chewed grass and the opportunity for a taste of meat…perhaps the omnivorous tendencies are much stronger than we think..?
Wow, Chris, so great to see ! So I am wondering how come you and I didn’t get to see such an event ! All I got to see was a hyena and leopard together. Such amazing events !
Here is the leopard and hyena together that I saw with David. http://www.pbase.com/mytmoss/image/34526331Amazing stuff taking place at Londolozi.
Mike
Great photos Micheal, I trust that you have seen the blog post on this encounter – if not follow here: http://blog.londolozi.com/2010/09/maxabeni-brothers-chased-off-kudu-kill/
As for Chris, you’ll have to ask him in person about not showing you the above, although a leopard and hyena together is not doing too badly. Thanks for your comments.