That was a really intense story! 😧

It was like the bear attack in The Reverant, but with an even bigger and more powerful animal.

I got to do a behind the scenes tour with some hippos before. We called them in from their exhibit, and they came into a holding area that felt like it was constructed for Jurassic Park, made of 4 inch steel beams with a series of locking areas to keep them separated from each other, as well as from the staff so they couldn’t fight if they got agitated.

Up close, that mouth opens so wide and those teeth are truly stunning. The inside of the mouth was not that big, and the throat is really tiny looking, and I can see how that guy kept getting spit out.

The way they sleep underwater, they’re almost invisible, and waking them suddenly I’ve heard is the cause of most incidents. They’re very dangerous in water, and even on land I think they can run up to around 30 mph, so there’s no way to outrun them.

The guy in the article said they don’t hunt people, but I’ve always read they are one of the few animals that really doesn’t care we’re human and they have no issue taking us on. The auditory defense with the paddle was cool to read about.

I really do think they’re the true king of beasts. Unlike animals that are super dangerous on land or water, hippos are insanely dangerous on either scenario, and they are viciously territorial and will fight anything. From afar that looks cute and lazy, but it’s like an APC with a giant maw up close.