Hippo Floats On Its Back And Soaks Up The Sun
Hippos may be massive land animals, but they clearly enjoy a good soak, and one in South Africa decided to make that look especially odd.
While visiting Kruger National Park with her family, amateur photographer Jackie Cilliers spotted the hippo floating on its back with its legs in the air, as if it had no plans to move anytime soon. The unusual pose turned a simple wildlife moment into something far more memorable, especially as the animal kept rolling and relaxing in the water.
It is not every day that a hippo looks ready for a sunbathing session, and this one seems determined to steal the show.
52-year-old Cilliers was visiting the area with her family when she spotted a hippo while it was resting in this strange way.
52-year-old Cilliers was visiting the area with her family when she spotted a hippo while it was resting. At first, Jackie thought that the animal was hurt or injured because the hippo remained still for several minutes, but it was just lying around. The hippo chose to rest in a very unique manner for its species—by floating in the water.
A hippo floating on its back is not exactly a common sight, even in a place like Kruger National Park.
Everyone was astonished by the unusual scene, even Cilliers, who couldn't help but chuckle along with the others when she saw the hippo was only attempting to add a little tan to its belly.
Everyone was astonished by the unusual scene, even Cilliers, who couldn't help but chuckle along with the others when she saw the hippo was only attempting to add a little tan to its belly.
Jackie has started her own YouTube channel featuring "some of our interesting experiences on safari" and has a number of breathtaking wildlife photographs and videos to share.
That belly-up pose made the whole scene even funnier.
And for a completely different kind of jaw-drop moment, watch a 40-ton humpback whale leaping out of the ocean.
'The hippo risked being attacked by its mate, whom it kept pushing to turn over.
'The hippo risked being attacked by its mate, whom it kept pushing to turn over.
Jackie said yesterday: “I first saw him at Ntandanyathi hide, which is a couple of kilometers from the Sabie River near Lower Sabie. During the drought, he relocated and was then seen at places including Sunset Dam.”
'I doubt I will ever see this again as it is the first time I or anyone I know has seen this.'
“It [the hippo] was pushing off its friend, rolling over, relaxing on its back, and yawning,” Cilliers said. “What I love most is his pink tummy. I doubt I will ever see this again as it is the first time I or anyone I know has seen this.”
The “method of relaxing” is strange for any animal, actually. The belly is the animal's most sensitive body part, and they would do anything to protect it. The very fact that the hippo had its belly exposed shows that it was extremely relaxed. We get so jealous when we look at it. Aren’t we?
Some animals really know how to make doing nothing look impressive.
After seeing this hippo float, read about Marius Els rescuing a hippo, then facing a tragic end.
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