Page 17 - World of Animals - Issue #29

Attack of the hippo

More herbivores with a grudge

Just because an animal doesn’t eat meat, that doesn’t mean it won’t
attack; the vegan gorilla has teeth five times as long as ours

Baboon Gorilla American bison
Despite feeding mostly on grasses, baboons Biting up to 50 per cent harder than a human Said to be responsible for more human deaths
have a mouth full of sharp teeth longer than a ever could, gorillas can be extremely dangerous. than wolves or bears, these giant herbivores are
lion’s and surprising body strength. They take Their teeth are adapted to tear through tough not to be crossed. Not only can they trample
the sight of bared teeth as a sign of aggression, plants like bamboo, and a gorilla wishing to animals beneath their hard, cloven hooves, but
steal from unsuspecting humans and have threaten an intruder will display its intimidating a bison can headbutt with almighty force and
even been known to break into properties in gnashers for all to see. Unlike other animals, kill a human in seconds. Despite their deadly
search of an easy meal. These monkeys can also however, gorillas aren’t known for attacks on potential, Native Americans made easy work
congregate in groups of hundreds, meaning that humans, and are gentle giants that don’t target of herding and slaughtering bison by chasing
an unfortunate human could encounter dozens people on purpose. Most gorilla attacks occur them to the edge of cliffs, which was extremely
at a time. If you meet a baboon, stand up tall, in captivity if an animal escapes or somebody wasteful and often entire herds would be killed
surrender any food you may be holding and enters the enclosure, but there are also accounts when only a few animals were needed. The
back away slowly. of gorillas protecting young children from harm. species is now under protection and in recovery.
Speed: 30-50km/h (20-30mph) Speed: 40km/h (25mph) Speed: 65km/h (40mph)
Size: 40kg (90lb) Size: 270kg (600lb) Size: 900kg (2,000lb)

Rhino Cape buffalo Wild boar
Rather than being aggressive, rhino attacks One of the most dangerous animals in Africa, Wild boar attacks on humans are on the rise,
are almost always in self-defence. With poor these ruminants are nicknamed ‘widowmakers’ with around 70 per cent of reported attacks
eyesight obscured by a massive horn and a by local people. They become even more occurring since 2000. Although humans
predisposition to be wary of predators, a rhino’s deadly when injured, as they will do anything to frequently hunt the pigs, these incidents are
charge can be very sudden. However, there are ensure their survival. Humans can be trampled, mostly unprovoked, and can cause serious
very few fatalities from rhino attacks, partially charged at and gored by the horned beasts injury. Even a survivor of an attack is at a high
due to the speed at which their numbers are that even the kings of the jungle are afraid of. risk of infection from bacteria associated with
falling. Humans may die indirectly from activity Large herbivores like buffalo prove they are the animal, from streptococcus to diphtheroids.
involving rhinos. If a poacher is attempting to more trouble than they are worth to predators, A human accompanied by a dog is still
steal a horn they open themselves up to an and are mostly avoided by big cats and other vulnerable, and in some cases the dog may
onslaught from armed guards and rangers. savannah hunters. cause the wild boar to become more aggressive.
Speed: 50km/h (30mph) Speed: 55km/h 35(mph) Speed: 50km/h (30mph)
Size: 1,360kg (3,000lb) Size: 680kg (1,500lb) Size: 181kg (400lb) © FLPA

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