While siblings can be fun, they can also be a pain. A pain in the butt, to be precise.
Simon Willson submitted this amusing footage to Latest Sightings. He filmed it while on a game drive in South Africa
Who films rocks?
If you’ve visited Kruger National Park, you may have stopped to view an animal, only to realise you’ve spotted a rock. Or two.
However, Simon’s video is about two young hippos he spotted grazing on a riverbank. Who films rocks, anyway?
Unable to resist their cuteness, he started filming them. And we’re so glad he did!
Wanna play?
Subsequently, one of the calves raises its head, a mischievous twinkle in its eye. It seems he’s had enough to eat.
And, as youngsters often do after a meal, he wants to play with his sibling.
Consequently, he nudges his brother in the backside, causing him to raise his head. However, when he lowers his head again, it’s evident he’s not in the mood.
This frustrates the hyperactive hippo. Surely there is something he can do to get his playmate to play rather than eat all the time.
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Maybe this will work
After weighing up his options, the calf comes up with an ingenious plan. Consequently, he opens wide and bites his brother on the butt.
His brother’s surprised response seems highly amusing to the youngster.
But the bitten baby’s bellows suggest he is less than impressed.
Back to business
Thinking the best way to deal with a bully is to ignore him, the calf resumes feeding. However, behind him, the bully decides he is on to something.
Determined to have some fun, he once again approaches and delivers another bite to his brother’s bum.
Once again, the surprised calf reacted with a bellow. However, would he continue to ignore this rude behaviour?
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Standing up for himself
As it turns out, no. Rather than ignoring it, he turned to face his tormentor. But will confronting his nemesis head-on lead to better results?
Subsequently, the pair faced off, just like adult hippos would do during a disagreement. When hippos fight, they open their massive mouths to expose their most potent weapon: 50-centimetre canines.
And that’s just what the calves do, except their canines have yet to emerge. Subsequently, the pair push each other around, each hoping the other will admit defeat before Mom sees what is going on.
Beware of hippos
When these two grow up, they will rank as the third-largest land mammals in Africa. Mature hippos weigh between 1,200 and 4,500 kilograms. Even at birth, they are large, with newborn calves ranging between 25 and 55 kg.
Their size, massive canines, phenomenal bite force, and highly unpredictable behaviour make them a danger to anyone who ventures into their space. Across Africa, over 500 people are killed by hippos every year.
