The reason crocs live together somewhat peaceably with hippos is because hippos don't eat meat* and crocs usually understand it's foolhardy to attempt to attack an adult hippo. So, they don't even try. No interest on the hippos side and nearly assured destruction on the croc's side.
Typically, crocodiles leave hippos alone. Hippos are aggressive and considered one of the most dangerous animals in Africa. Their large tusks and teeth are used to fight off threats, including humans. You do not want to go swimming with hippos.
Therefore, crocodiles are predators and hippos are effectively prey so how come they lie next to each other in peace around a waterhole? The reality is that given half a chance a crocodile would attack and feed on a hippo but they do not because of just how dangerous a hippo can be.
If there is one animal that could bring down a full-grown hippo in a fight, it is an adult elephant. Elephants have the size and strength advantage over the hippo, and their tusks give them superior reach. Match that with a roaring charge and there is nothing that will not stop one!
This is the amazing moment a heroic hippo saved a gnu from certain death. After being bitten by a crocodile, the large antelope is seen being dragged slowly under the water. But in a miraculous turn of events, a nearby hippo is seen making its way across the water to help the animal in its hour of need.
5. This is why baby hippos, which crocodiles will attack if they catch them alone, are often seen chewing on the skin of crocodiles, perhaps to aid their teething. The crocodiles just lie there and take it, because they dare not enrage mommy hippo watching nearby.
In parts of Africa, crocodile attacks on humans can be a regular occurrence, making them the second most dangerous animal, after hippos. Nonetheless, crocodiles do not kill large numbers of humans.
Hippos coexist alongside a variety of large predators in their habitats. Nile crocodiles, lions, and spotted hyenas are known to prey on young hippos. Beyond these, adult hippos are not usually preyed upon by other animals due to their aggression and size.
Hippos have a bite force that exceeds 1,800 PSI and has a big mouth full of teeth that are a foot long. We are talking about a bite powerful enough to chomp a crocodile in half!
Hippos don't eat crocodiles. But they do attack and kill them. Within its environment, a crocodile is an apex predator.
A video of best buddies Suriya (orangutan) and Roscoe (pooch) is a YouTube sensation. An old tortoise and a young hippo have their own Web site and line of books detailing their friendship.
Capybaras and Crocodiles
Capybaras and crocodiles can be spotted hanging out in the same waters. This unusual animal friendship works out nicely, as capybaras are too large for crocodiles to swallow, eliminating the risk of, well, bad blood.
"Lions will not want to put themselves at significant risk of injury in taking on large mammals which can very easily injure them," Watson said by email. "In my experience, lion are known to go for easiest targets—and hippo, elephant, and [adult] giraffe certainly do not fall into this category."
How dangerous are hippos? The hippopotamus is a very aggressive wild creature and is the deadliest large land mammal on the planet. It is estimated that hippo attacks kill 500 people each year in Africa. It is not only their size and weight that makes them dangerous, but also their very sharp teeth!
Even if the hippo did successfully ambush and bite the elephant, the elephant would rear back in pain from being bitten and then spear a tusk through the hippo. That would cause massive damage to the hippo's body or organs, instantly debilitating or outright killing them. In a fight, the elephant would handily win.
If the fight takes place in an open area, then the rhino would likely win due to its greater speed and agility. However, if the fight takes place in water, then the hippo would likely have the advantage due to its greater strength and jaw power.
Do Lions Eat Crocodiles? Lions eat a diet that consists of buffalo, wildebeests, and even giraffes. Lions eat crocodiles even though these are not their preferred meat source. A lion's diet comprises mainly land animals such as zebras, antelopes, buffaloes, and wildebeests.
Although their bulk and toothy armoury usually ensure that they do not become victims of nocturnal hunters, even hippos fall prey to lions on occasion.
A hippo would definitely win on land 100% of the time. In water, perhaps 80%. Hippos are quite larger than a saltwater crocodile and have more brute strength. They also could seriously damage a crocodile with their bite, even though the latter is more popular for its jaw strength.
Ascaris roundworms: 2,500 deaths per year. Saltwater crocodiles: 1,000 deaths per year. Elephants: 500 deaths per year. Hippopotamus: 500 deaths per year.
Scientists and herpetologists who have studied Gustave claim that his uncommon size and weight impede his ability to hunt the species' usual agile prey such as fish, antelope and zebra, forcing him to attack larger animals such as hippopotamus, large buffalo and, to some extent, humans.