About the Author

Nick Sims

Alumni Field Guide

Nick was a ranger at Londolozi from 2018 - 2022. He always had a love for nature. Growing up in Johannesburg, the annual family trip to the bush (particularly the Kruger Lowveld region of South Africa) became an escape from city life. When ...

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14 Comments

on Why do Hippos Live in Water ?

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On our first trip to Londolozi my husband tried for the entire 3 days to find an entire hippo. The best he did was about 3/4 on our last day. Since then he has seen several entire hippos. The are intimidating animals. Always fun to see the pairs of ears rise up out of the water and give the car the eye and then subside again. Victoria

Very educational Nick! Assuming calves are a target for many predators, who targets the adults? They’re not really a trophy animal right? Also, we are very envious of your opening banner reflection shot. That water was a perfect mirror!!!

Thanks ! Adult hippos do not really have natural predators, also desperate lions might attempt to hunt them on the rare occaision.

Loved seeing the young hippos frolicking in the water last month (and the occasional bubbling up of hippo farts). Surprised to have seen so many so close by (heard them roaring from our room in Varty camp too!)

Senior Digital Ranger

Thank you Nick for this interesting insight to these amazing animals. Wonderful. Enjoy the week ahead 😁

Interesting information Nick. Does hippos drink water? It is amazing that animals know which plants to eat that hasgot healing properties.

Thanks Marinda, yes hippos do indeed drink water !

Hi Nick. Nice write up. Question, how come Hippos are so very aggressive, being the ones to kill more humans than any other animals in Africa. I understand people have to go down to the rivers for water, to fish and to cool off, but according to that data it makes hippos more dangerous than crocs.

Hi Chris, thanks. Yes, hippos can be very aggressive especially when they feel threatened outside of the water. As you correctly stated, it is due to their regular meetings with humans at water sources that lead to all the incidents. Often the hippos will be returning to the water from some distance inland and the people get in the way whereas crocodiles don’t pose as much of a threat away from the water’s edge.

Well done, Nick! I didn’t know about the relationship with whales and dolphins – fascinating creatures!

Nick, very interesting article. I hope the hippos will continue to prosper at Londolozi

Packed with new informational details. Great job, Nick!

Great article. Hippos are under appreciated. We saw two males fighting over the gals and a watering hole, and that was quite the drama. I noticed that the rangers give a hippo on land more “respect” than any other animal, driving quite around them:-)

Such an informational blog as I had no idea of their genetic link to dolphins and whales. Watching hippos is great entertainment especially if there are two males, vying for lead position. If one is fortunate enough to be sleeping next to a large pond (in a protected tent!) the sounds made by the hippos chomping their way the other grasses is not to be forgotten!! The mirror image photo is excellent!!

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