Impressive jaws
If you see a hippo with its mouth stretched wide open, it's not yawning, it's not tired. The display is a territorial gesture that warns all onlookers not to approach with its massive canine teeth (which can grow up to 30 centimetres long). An in an instant, a hippo can snap his stretched jaw closed with a bite force which exerts a ton of pressure!
Croco-rex
Despite being classified as “reptiles”, crocodiles (and all crocodilians, including alligators) are more closely related to dinosaurs and birds than to most animals classified as reptiles.
Young Vervet monkey
Classified as a medium-sized to large monkey. The males are slightly larger than the females and are easily recognized by their turquoise blue scrota.
Heat sensitive
Hippos choose to wait out the blistering African sun in the water, often only leaving their eyes and nose above the water.
Big heads...
Hippos are large semi-aquatic mammals, with a large barrel-shaped body, short legs, a short tail and an enormous head!
Dark complexion
Hippos have grayish to muddy-brown skin, which fades to a pale pink color underneath.
Love bites
Hippos often play with open mouths in mock battles.
Big, big, big!
They are considered the second largest land animal on Earth, after the elephant!
Eastern Golden Weaver
These industrious little birds build domed nests attached to reeds by the water's edge.
Man of the house
Male weavers tend to be the nest builders.
Best photos...
Playing, or sometimes battling, hippos make for the most intriguing photographs.
Heavyweight champ
Males measure around 3.5m long and 1.5m tall, and can weigh up 3,200kg. That's as heavy as 3 small cars.
Top location
Hippos eyes, nose and ears are located on the top of their head, which means they can see and breathe whilst submerged in the water.
Giant kingfisher
The giant kingfisher is 42–46 cm (16.5–18 in) long, with a large shaggy crest, a large black bill and fine white spots on black upperparts. The male has a chestnut breast band and otherwise white underparts with dark flank barring. The female has a white-spotted black breast band and a chestnut belly.
Cold blooded
Crocodiles, like other reptiles, are cold blooded and so rely on the sun to charge their bodies for action.
Tough hide
Only crocodile's belly has a gentle skin. Skin on their back contains bony structures (called osteoderms) which make skin bulletproof.
Excellent eyesight
Crocodiles have excellent eyesight (especially during the night). Their eyes can be seen as red dots while peeking from the water during the night.
Horns for fighting
Kudu horns have spirals, which allow males to spar by interlocking horns. The males then proceed to shove and twist until one opponent is knocked off balance and thrown down.
Talking to me?
They produce one of the loudest sounds made by antelope in the form of a gruff bark.
Suntan lotion anyone?
Hippopotami sweat an oily red liquid which helps protect their skin from drying out and acts as a sunblock at the same time.
Night owls
Hippos are most active at night, when they forage for food.
One of many
Ducks flock to the St Lucia Estuary in droves.
Self sharpening
A hippo's teeth sharpen themselves against each other every time they open and close their mouths.
Waterbokkie
The common waterbuck has a conspicuous white ring encircling a dark rump, while the defassa has wide white patches on either side of the rump.
Pied kingfisher
Males have a double black band across their breast. Females have a black chest that is often broken with a white stripe in the middle.
Under water?
Hippo babies can suckle at their mother's teat underwater.
Amazing hunters
The pied kingfisher is a skilled hunter with remarkable abilities. It is one of the most numerous kingfisher species, ranking in the top three largest populations. These high numbers could be due to its specialized hunting abilities, which no other kingfisher possesses.
Cute little guy
Hippo babies only weigh about 45kg (100lb) when they're born. From so small to the second biggest land animal!
