Hippo, Luangwa Valley, Zambia
The world’s largest population of hippos live in the Luangwa Valley in Zambia, Africa. They love the water, which is why they are so abundant in the Luangwa Valley. The Luangwa River is one of the biggest unaltered rivers in southern Africa.
Hippopotamus amphibius need water deep enough to cover them. Their thin, naked skin is vulnerable to overheating and dehydration; they submerge to protect their skin and stay cool. Their eyes, ears, and nostrils are positioned high in the skull so that they can remain submerged for long periods.
Usually one sees wild hippos in the water. But they are semiaquatic mammals, meaning they live in both water and on land. Their diet is grass, so they also require pasture areas not far from water. They graze for about five hours, then return to water beds to spend the day digesting and socializing.
We found this handsome hippo one morning at dawn, while heading out in the jeep. It was unusual to see him resting in sand, but he still found a shady, cool spot. He was fine with us interrupting his rest, as long as we stayed in the vehicle. And we were fine with him glaring at us, as long as he didn’t charge. I love it when we all get along.
Photo credit: Athena Alexander
Jet Eliot 
Hi, nice shot..I woud love to see a Hippo again in the wild…many, many years. I saw this in your post.. The Luangwa River is one of the biggest unaltered rivers in South Africa.
Should that not be Southern Africa? Hehe. I did read you see!
Happy to see you read through the first paragraph my friend! Thank you for the correction. Glad you enjoyed the post. 😀
WHahahahaha.
I was actually trying to figure where it was in South Africa….being full of hippos…
You have me yearning for my African photo albums – seeing the hippos in Africa was such a highlight! 🙂
Yes, hippos in the wild, not something us non-Africans see too much and a real treat when it occurs. Thanks so much, Joanne. 😀
Awesome image of the hippo! So fascinating to reading about this magnificent creature. Thank you, Jet! 🙂
I am delighted you were fascinated, Amy – thanks so much for your visit. I hope you are enjoying a great weekend! 😀
Very dangerous animal believe or not, it may look like a peaceful creature but it’s a deceiving concept. Thanks Jet! 🙂
That’s right, HJ — hippos are much faster and more ferocious than they look. Thanks for your comment my friend! 😀
A happy hippo, digesting and socializing! You have to love that – sensible creatures.
I do love that, and I love the way you put it, pc. Digesting and socializing make for happy creatures. lol. 😀
He is just big boned. 😛
lol — funny comment, Laura. Thanks so much! 😀
LOL you’re welcome 🙂
I had a boss who loved like that guy – I wonder if they were related. He was also very dangerous. ; )
Your comment made me lol, Jan. Your former boss and the hippo probably WERE related. haha. 😀
What a beauty….and looking quite docile in this picture, but of course they can run very fast…I think:) Have a lovely weekend…janet.
Thanks so much for your comment, Janet. That’s right, hippos can indeed run very fast. They look much slower than they are. I’m enjoying a great weekend, I hope you are too. 😀
I have had a lovely weekend, which continues to day as it is a bank holiday weekend….and despite rather overcast weather, will be enjoying a walk and lunch with a good friend. Janet.
Sounds like an absolutely delightful day, Janet — have fun! 😀 😀
What a fabulous image. Oh my so many places to go in this world! Hoping to live to be a healthy 150. 🙂
With all the exercise and activity you enjoy, Sue, I am pretty sure you WILL live to be 150. And yes, so many places to go! So glad to have you drop by, my friend. 😀
I’m very keen on your optimistic thinking! 🙂
They are huge and glad everyone got along. I’ve read stories where tourists aren’t as lucky. I wouldn’t want to be canoeing anywhere close to one.
That’s right, Ingrid — the hippos can be pretty ferocious. I, too, wouldn’t want to be canoeing near one. I once was in a motorboat in a lake with hippos, but the guide was experienced, and we had no problem. I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend. 🙂
Of colossal size,yet so adorable!Perfect eye contact,Athena has handsomely portrayed it!Yes,they are amphibius,they couldn’t live away from water,”his” name betrays the info … Our guy here is so lucky to live in a nearby big and unaltered river!Lovely Hippo post,dear friend Jet! Happy Friday 🙂 xxx
Yes, that valley was filled with lucky hippos. And they were so busy going to and from the river, and socializing too. I had never seen so many hippos in one area and haven’t since. I am glad you enjoyed the post, dear Doda. I hope you are enjoying a delightful weekend. 😀 😀
I can visualise the scene thanks to your vivid description,dear Jet!Once again a big thank you from the bottom of my heart 🙂 xxx
And my big thanks to you, too, dear Doda. You are so kind to visit all my posts and grace your lovely comments. 😀 😀
I’ve heard that these guys like to throw their weight around.
They sure DO like to throw their weight around — tons of it! Happy to hear from you, dear Bill. 😀
Sandy is a great name for a hippo 😉
lol — seemed appropriate, glad you agreed, Val. Thanks so much. 😀
Love your hippo, Jet.
Thanks so much, Mike — very glad you liked it. And appreciate the visit my friend. 😀
how wonderful
to sip coffee
with your
hippo 🙂
It is indeed so wonderful, my friend. Always enjoy your comments…I am smiling as I type. 😀
Oh, this is a handsome one 🙂 One night while in Luangwa I woke up to a strange noise. I also saw a huge shadow moving on the curtains. I tiptoed carefully to peek out and there he was, a huge hippo grazing right outside our bedroom window. I think they eat quite often at night when it’s cooler?
Oh, do I ever love this story, Tiny. Tiptoeing around at night to see what is looming beneath your window in Luangwa. And you’re right, they are quite active at night when it is cool. Many thanks! 😀
Oh those eyes….I think he wanted to eat you! x
Those eyes are pretty daunting, aren’t they Gill. Your comment has me smiling real big. 😀 😀
If one is of that size, it is better to keep a respectful distance…
yes, yes, and yes. lol. 😀
Love seeing you enjoying the sight of one another.
With plenty of oxygen…
Yes the African savannah has plenty of oxygen, not like those little planes in the Andes. lol. Your comments made me laugh Nan, thanks so much. 😀 😀
He looks so sweet and lazy, though I know he’s potentially neither of those things 🙂
You captured the hippo completely, Andrea — he does look sweet and lazy, but he’s not either. Thanks so very much. 😀
Lovely to see a capture of these guys on land. Normally you one see the head sticking out of the water:) Wonder if they are less dangerous when on land? I am thinking maybe not as fast?
The hippos are quite swift on land, even as they walk around without any worries; so my guess is they are faster on land. They are a curious beast, with such a huge and round body and little stumpy legs. Thank you so much Inger. 😀