A large hippo showed off its impressive teeth to drive some wild dogs off its turf in a memorable moment filmed at Tanda Tula in the Timbavati.
The incredible sighting was filmed by Brad van Aswegen and begins with a large hippo opening its mouth and showing its teeth in a display intended to intimidate.
For those watching the sighting, the open-mouthed display set the tone for some riveting viewing. This is because hippos have some of the most impressive and intimidating teeth in the animal kingdom, and this one’s teeth were all that!
Their large incisors and canines are primarily used for fighting rather than eating. Despite being herbivores, hippos rely on their massive tusk-like teeth to assert dominance and defend territory. This is what this one was preparing to do.
The hippo shows its large teeth to intimidate wild dogs
A pack of wild dogs was feeding on a kill nearby, which was the reason for the hefty fellow’s overt displays of dominance. They were on his turf, and he wanted them to know this.
The hippo’s teeth, combined with its powerful jaws, make it one of Africa’s most dangerous animals. So when this massive hippo showed the wild dogs what it was made of, this was no small threat.
The hippo moved closer to the wild dogs, and on seeing him, they moved the kill further away from him.
Wild dogs are chaotic, zealous feeders. They will tear at their prey and have even been known to start feeding on their prey while it is still alive! If enthusiasm and hyperactivity were rated in the wild, wild dogs would definitely get a 10 out of 10.
The wild dogs continued to feed but kept an eye on the approaching hippo, adjusting their feeding position by continuing to drag the kill.
The hippo continued to move closer, trying to intimidate them for a second time by opening its mouth.
Hippos have different types of teeth, each varying in size and function. Incisors and canines, which are the front teeth often referred to as tusks, are the most prominent and can grow impressively large.
The canines can reach up to 50 cm in length (longer than a school ruler!), while incisors can grow up to 40 cm.
Molars and premolars, located at the back of the mouth, are smaller and are used for grinding vegetation. These teeth are flatter and not nearly as long as the tusks. They are usually just a few centimeters in size.
However, it seemed the spectators were more taken aback by the hippo’s large teeth than the wild dogs. Perhaps the wild dogs were certain they had what it took to flee the hippo with speed if needed, or maybe they failed to perceive a threat.
Or perhaps their meal was too good to abandon. They definitely appeared to be enjoying their feast, and they weren’t about to hand it over to the hippo.
It became a game of sorts. The hippo is moving closer, and they are moving further away. The hippo might not have completely ruined their meal, but he had definitely disturbed it.
This exciting moment on film showed just how big hippos really are when out of the water, and their large size compared with that of wild dogs.
