Page 16 - World of Animals - Issue #29

Attack of the hippo

3. Bite

The pressure of a bite relies on both
the force exerted by the animal’s
jaws and the surface area of the
tooth. Hippo teeth have a small
surface area, meaning that all the
pressure from the clamping jaws is
concentrated in just a few patches.
This is what makes a hippo bite so
dangerous. A female hippo’s bite
delivers 130 kilograms of downward
force per square centimetre (1,820
pounds per square inch), while
males are too aggressive to test.
However, hippos share their
territory with the strongest biters on
the planet. Crocodiles can subject
their prey to forces of 260 kilograms
per square centimetre (3,700
pounds per square inch), roughly
twice as much power as a hippo.
These two terrific enemies face
one another on a daily basis, and
while hippos can sometimes defend
against the giant reptiles, crocodiles
get the last word as they often
scavenge from hippo carcasses.

How to avoid a hippo attack

Remember these steps to avoid upsetting a hippo if you’re ever lucky enough to come across one

Danger in numbers Let a little bird tell you Get off the ground
On land, avoid entering thicket as hippos may Oxpecker birds feed on skin fragments and Even though a hippo can run, it cannot climb. If
be hiding out in vegetation. If in a boat or parasites on the rhino’s hide, and their call may you are being chased, find a tree or termite mite
canoe, keep your distance and don’t enter rivers give away a lurking hippo. Familiarise yourself in which to take refuge. It’s unlikely that you’ll be
occupied with large hippo groups. with their song at www.animalanswers.co.uk. out on safari alone, and your guide will help.

Location, location, location Beware of babies Advertise your position
Beware of where you’re standing and don’t Mothers will defend their young to the death, If on water, knock the hull to let submerged
put yourself in the way of danger. Don’t stand and their teeth can easily rip through flesh. If hippos know you’re there. If your vessel capsizes,
between a hippo and water, and if you’re in a confronted with a hippo and her young, retreat you’re in danger. Don’t graze a hippo with your
boat, don’t trap a hippo in shallow water. backwards and attract your guide’s attention. paddle as they will see this as a direct attack.

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