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[zackiedawg]

Those silly, fat, peaceful smiling pinkish beasties that lie around in the water grunting - kids love them, people smile when they see them, they're so ugly they're cute.  Right?

Sure...here's a little nose-to-nose snuggling...awwww (link to 1024 pixel long original below each photo):


http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg/image/121689697/original

Then there's that Jeckyl-and-Hyde flipside that you hear about - hippos kill more people in Africa than lions, cheetahs, and crocodiles...COMBINED.  They're not trying to eat anyone...they're just very territorial, and will attack anything messing with their turf or pond.  Problem is, a quick attack, one simple bite, from a hippo usually spells the end for the unfortunate tresspasser.  And here's why -

1. They may be slower on land, but they are very quick in water, and hide really well under the surface holding their breath for a long time..when they pop up to attack, you barely have time to realize it:

http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg/image/121689700/original

2. They can open their mouth very very wide:

http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg/image/121689698/original

3. They, and their mouth, are very very big:

http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg/image/121689699/original

4. Inside that wide-opening and very big mouth are some really big tusks and teeth:

http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg/image/121689701/original

5. Maybe you want a closer look at how big those tusks and teeth are:

http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg/image/121689702/original

These two hippos were only playing - but I have been through there hundreds of times and haven't caught quite this much action at the hippo window ever before.  They were jumping, fighting, making huge waves, flipping upside down past the window, lunging out of the water, and grunting like crazy.  The cast member was quite excited - it was the most action HE'D seen too...and the crowds who often just take a single glance at the window before moving on to the gorillas was instead standing-room-only to see the action.  I was lucky to have walked in just at the beginning of their antics, and so had a front-window seat for the whole thing.

[Tags:]

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[goofmick]

Very cool!!  Great shots of the tusks.

[Scottwdw]

Here I was excited when one swam by the window when I was there last time.  Excellent action shots and coverage, Justin.

[WillCAD]

I'm very jealous.

Hippos are magnificent creatures - when viewed from a very long distance, or with very strong barriers between me and them. They're incredibly aggressive with anything that enters their territory, including people.

I hope I can catch a glimpse of such activity the next time I'm in AK.

[PolynesianMedic]

Great shots Justin!  I like this a lot!

[prettypixie]

Nice!

[zackiedawg]

Thanks Tim, polynesian and pixie.

Scott, that's pretty much what I get on the best days there - either an empty pool, one sleeping hippo underwater way off in the distance, or if it's a good day, a hippo will go by the window.  This was a pretty rare and cool thing to see them so active...I never even thought they could jump out of the water so quickly!

Thanks Will - agreed - they are amazing, but best viewed from a point of safety!

[prettypixie]

I hear they like chocolate!

[zackiedawg]

Hmmm...maybe someone was holding a Hershey's bar against the glass...

Or maybe I will next time I go! 

[WillCAD]

Maybe some Girardelli from the store at Downtown Disney would be more effective.

[zackiedawg]

Good point - keep the corporate sponsors and tie ins happy. 

[Craig]

cool shots Justin!

[zackiedawg]

Thanks Craig...a good day to pass through the hippo tank!