Hobbies And Interests
Hippopotamus
One of Africa's deadliest animals, the hippopotamus can grow to 10 to 15 feet in length, stand 4.3 to 5.4 feet tall and weigh 1,440 lb. It can live up to 50 years, consumes grasses and lives in family groups of 10 to 150 animals. Crocodiles, hyenas, lions and crocodiles hunt young hippopotamuses, but adults are dangerous and high in the food chain. Hippopotamuses can run up to 30 mph and can submerge themselves for up to 30 minutes beneath water, making them difficult to spot in the lakes of sub-Saharan Africa. Both males and females are highly aggressive and territorial, chasing down invaders of any species and lacerating them with sharp lower canines.
Nile Crocodile
The Nile crocodile is the largest African crocodile species. Nile crocodiles can grow to 20 feet in length and can weigh up to 1,650 lb. They possess 66 teeth and live for about 45 years in the wild. These reptiles have acute vision and can see above and below the water's surface, allowing them to float unnoticed, camouflaged as logs. Nile crocodiles consume animals that drink from the rivers in which they reside. They have been known to eat zebras, porcupines, birds and creatures as large as hippopotamuses and wildebeests. Nile crocodiles are notorious for attacking human beings.
American Alligator
American alligators can be distinguished from crocodiles by their rounded snouts and their preference for tropical climates. These reptiles live in rivers throughout the southeastern states. They live for more than 60 years and can grow to exceed 13 feet in length. American alligators feed on animals that enter their river habitats, such as fish, birds, snakes, frogs, turtles, small mammals and other alligators. Although alligators are too small to consume an entire human body, they have been known to attack and kill people in and out of the water.
Smaller Dangerous Animals
Despite their deceptive size, some smaller river animals are highly dangerous. Among these dangerous animals are electric eels, which stun enemies and prey. These eels live in stagnant freshwater rivers in South America and can deliver a dangerous shock to a human being. Another dangerous river animal is the snapping turtle of North America. These animals can bite off fingers and toes as they resist capture. The Australian platypus is also a threat, as males feature a poisonous spur at the back of each hindfoot. While an injection of poison from this spur is unlikely to kill a person, it is extremely painful and creates a large gash.