At first glance, hippos are almost cartoonish in appearance. However, as this footage shows, one shouldn’t be deceived by their looks.
Mike Botes submitted this dramatic footage to Latest Sightings. He filmed it while on a game drive at MalaMala Game Reserve in South Africa.
Tranquillity interrupted
As Mike’s video begins, we see the tranquil Sand River flowing strongly. On an island in the middle, a young hippo notices trouble approaching.
Entering the river from the far bank, the resident bull is ready to defend what is his.
Highly territorial
As the resident gets closer, the intruder shuffles nervously. He knows he has been caught and will have to pay a price.
Male hippos are highly territorial creatures, and any trespassing must be dealt with swiftly.
Accordingly, as he gets close, the resident opens his jaws, revealing a formidable set of teeth.
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Main weapons
As soon as he is within range, the resident lunges at the intruder. In turn, the intruder opens his mouth, accepting the challenge.
A hippo’s lower canines are its main weapons, growing to lengths of up to 50 centimetres. Additionally, they are self-sharpening, ready to rip into the flesh of any opponent.
As the giants clash, it is the resident who lands the first blow. His blood is up, incensed at the intruder’s trespass.
Size advantage
Additionally, the resident is somewhat bigger than the intruder. Male hippos weigh between 1,600 and 3,200 kg (3,500 to 7,000 lbs).
Consequently, he easily pushes the younger animal backwards. Additionally, he manages to dig his lower canines into his rival’s chin, adding to the damage inflicted.
Backtracking
Despite his earlier show of courage, the intruder has no choice but to backtrack in the face of the resident’s relentless assault.
The resident, meanwhile, opens his jaws a massive 170 degrees, showing off his arsenal of deadly tusks.
In the face of such aggression, the intruder has no choice but to lower his head in submission.
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Body language
As he does so, the resident continues to show off his canines. He is now using body language to declare his dominance.
Amazingly, despite being roundly beaten, the intruder dares to gape at the resident. He is really pushing his luck now.
Unsurprisingly, this further enrages the resident. Once more, he opens wide and lunges at his cheeky rival. This time, the youngster wisely decides not to push his luck any further.
Spilt blood
As Mike’s video nears its end, the resident bull turns towards the camera. As he does, we can plainly see the blood pooled in his lower jaw.
Having suffered a resounding defeat, it is time for the intruder to leave. In time, he will grow bigger, and perhaps their next meeting will have a different outcome. But, for now, the resident’s authority is not up for debate.
