Hippos are one of the largest land animals and definitely the most aggressive. The elephant is probably the only animal in the world that could cross a river filled with hippos – anyone else would’ve immediately fallen victim to a territorial attack.
Scroll down to watch this intense safari footage!
How Much Do Hippos and Elephants Differ in Size?
Both the hippo and the elephant carry the title as some of the largest land animals to walk our planet. More specifically, the elephant takes first place whereas the hippo claims a solid 6th place (outranked by various elephant and rhino species.)
The average adult elephant can weigh between 5,000 to 14,000 pounds and stands about 8 to 13 feet tall at the shoulder. While hippos are massive animals, they almost seem small compared to elephants, with a weight of 3,000 – 4,000 pounds and a height of 5 feet.
Why Is the Setting So Special?
The video shows us a beautiful African landscape which is particularily special: it’s the Ngorongoro Crater.
This is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Tanzania, a large volcanic caldera that serves as a natural enclosure for amazing wildlife. It spans approximately 100 square miles and stands as the largest unfilled, intact and inactive volcano in the world.
The crater’s lush landscapes and abundant water sources provide a unique ecosystem where over 25,000 animals thrive.
The Footage: Elephant Crosses River Filled with Elephants
An elephant, presumably a bull elephant, stands at the shore with a wall of hippos preventing it from getting to the other side. This elephant seems not not care at all though, ignoring the hippo’s notoriously feisty mood, and begins to wade through the water.
The Relationship Between Hippos and Elephants
While hippos and elephants share similar habitats and are both herbivores they only interact if absolutely necessary. Elephants are generally solitary or move in herds with other elephants, and they maintain a respectful distance from hippos, known for their territorial nature, especially in water.
That being said, the elephant is probably the only animal that could do this – any other creature would’ve fallen victim to an immediate hippo-attack.
Wrapping Up: Elephant Crosses River with Hippos
Once again, we’re reminded of the elephant’s massive size and the respect they demand because of it. The hippo is also a huge animal indeed, but compared to the elephant it looks like a lap dog.
Thank you for reading this article about the elephant who crosses a river filled with hippos!
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Gail Hancock
Saturday 19th of October 2024
Loved the photography of the Elephants and Hippos so much exciting!! Thank you!!