Tanzania is home to some of the most wonderful wildlife on this planet, and among its most famous population is the hippopotamus. These huge and semi -water mammals dominate the waterways of the lakes and rivers of Tanzania, and play a decisive role in the ecosystem.
Let’s dive into the world of river mares and reveal some interesting facts about the heavyweight heroes in Africa that we learned during the safari trips in Tanzania.
Basics: What is the hippopotamus?
The hippopotype (amphibius) is large, most of which are herbing mammals that spend most of its time in water. Despite their huge size, they are amazingly graceful swimmers and can keep their breath under water for several minutes. It weighs between 3000 and 4000 pounds, and it is one of the largest wild animals in Africa.
Where do you find river mares in Tanzania
Tanzania is filled with mares of the river, especially in places where the water is abundant. Some of the best places to discover river mares in Tanzania:
- Serinagen hippopotamas, especially along the Grumeti and Mara river
- Coservation is a vehicle
- Rovigi River in the Silius Games Reserve
- Leck Maneara National Park
- Katafi National Park, where the large centuries of river mares in water holes gather in the Dry Season of Dry
We first saw the river mares in the Ngorongoro hole, but our favorite meetings were in Sergeeti National Park. We spent the entire afternoon period in watching the river mares in the Grumeti River and we saw all their kind and tiring behaviors.
Water lover but not water
The river mares spend most of their day immersed in the water, but they are not really water creatures. They depend on water to keep their skin cold and moisturize them, but they come to the ground at night to graze. Their bodies are perfectly adapted to a semi -intended lifestyle, with eyes, ears, and cells at the head of their heads, allowing them to remain mostly with observation.
We arrived late in Seronra in the center of Sirinjiti. There is not much to the city alongside a fuel station, air cannons and a welcome center, but outside the city were several edges full of river mares. We got to see the river mares leave these ponds to go as the last sunlight was flooded under the horizon.
Surprisingly fast and slim
Despite their huge appearance, river mares are incredibly fast. On the floor, they can run at speeds of up to 19 miles per hour for short distances. In water, they move safely by pressing the river’s course instead of swimming. Its unexpected speed makes them more dangerous than it appears.
We heard how graceful mares of the river and continued to wait for them to show their skills. Instead of ballet, they likened to teenage children in the pool – very loud and wonderful with a funny smell.
Social life hippopotamus
River mares are social animals that live in groups called pods or pods, which usually consist of 10 to 30 individuals. These groups lead a dominant male that strongly defends its competing males.
We have imagined that the river mares spend their days in peace, as they do in the zoo. In the wilderness, river mares are involved in frequent skirmishes, using their huge jaws to confirm hegemony. The pool was always moving, causing someone in noise.
The most bloody mammals in Africa
River mares may seem easy to drive, but they are more responsible for more human deaths in Africa than black or crocodiles. It is very regional and you will not hesitate to charge anything they consider a threat. Her large tusks, which can grow to 20 inches, are used in battles and self -defense rather than eating.
Nightclubs
The river mares feed mainly on the grass, and consumes up to 80 lbs per night. They leave their water homes after sunset to the feed and they can travel several miles in search of food. Despite its huge size, they have a relatively simple diet, mainly consisting of short herbs.
We asked our guide how a lot of vegetation can be in a swimming pool filled with huge lovers. He said they prefer grass and rarely eat water plants.
River mares and ecological system
These animals play a vital role in their ecological system. Their dung enters water plants and provides food for fish, while its continuous movement provokes the bottom of the rivers, while maintaining the balance of the water environment. Without river mares, many fresh water systems in Tanzania will work completely differently.
Usually the unique bathroom of the river mares
One of the most strange and strange behaviors in river mares is how to use their tails like a spinning fan during defecation. This act spreads their dung away and wide, and serves multiple purposes. It represents their lands, communicates with other river mares, and even helps to enrich water environments.
We were lucky to see a step to fill the Hibo tube and understand why their heroes are undisputedly for the anarchic but effective environmental contributions! It was very nice and very molecule at the same time.
River mares: born in water
After pregnancy for eight months, the female hippopotamus gives birth to one calf, usually in water. The river mares of children can get underwater, while closing their nose and ears to prevent water from entering. From birth, they remain close to their mothers for protection, as they are targeted by crocodiles and black.
We have seen newborn river mares in the San Diego Zoo, and they were the best things ever. We have seen the hairdos of the teenager only in the wild, but they were still very nice.
Conservation fears
While the river mares are still relatively common in Tanzania, they face increasing threats of destroying habitats, illegal research of their teeth and ivory -like meat. Conservation efforts focus on protecting fresh water habitats and contacting fishermen to ensure that future generations will witness these amazing animals in the wild.
We heard a tragic story about the dwarf river mares on the Mafia Island of biologists at the Kito Kiblo Research Center. Al -Jazeera used to contain a few residents of the river mares, but it was almost hunted for extinction when ivory prices rise. Today, there are still only a few, and they are shy of humans.
River mares more than to meet the eye
The river mares may seem to be a sleeping river, but they are among the most amazing and calm creatures in Tanzania. Whether you see them in the sun, see a regional conflict, or listen to their deep concern in the water, and the river mares face in the wild while on Safari is an unforgettable experience. Their survival is crucial to the health of the waterways in Tanzania, which makes it an essential part of the African scene.
Hello! We are Jin and Ed Coleman, nicknamed Coleman Conserge. In short, we are a Gen X couple whose Huntsville is sharing our stories about amazing adventures through the transformational and experimental travel that depends on the activity.
