If you are planning on going on a safari holiday then you may think about the safety aspect. Many people instantly think of tigers and lions as being the most dangerous but did you know that Hippo’s are within the top 5 dangerous mammals. The hippo has actually caused more human fatalities than any other mammal in Africa. The hippo is the third largest land mammal in the world and their size and weight mean they are certainly not to be messed with.
Male hippos defend their territory along the river banks and the female hippos have been known to get very protective and aggressive towards anything that comes between her and her babies, who stay in the water while she feeds on the banks.
Hippos can actually run at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour. If you are in the way when this animal runs, you are likely to suffer serious injuries. This being said they really are amazing to see and you will be disappointed if you miss them when on safari. There are a lot of interesting facts such as Hippos secrete a natural sunscreen that is coloured red and eventually turns brown.