Why Do Hippos Spray Their Poo Around?
Hippos are known for being the most aggressive animals in Africa, but did you know they are also aggressive poopers?
Transcript
00:00Hippos might be cute safari mammals, but they're actually really, really dangerous.
00:08In fact, next to the mosquito, they're responsible for more human deaths in Africa every year
00:12than these guys or even these.
00:14And they hate being bothered so much, even before they charge at a blazing 19 miles per
00:19hour.
00:20A new study reveals they have yet another mechanism for getting rid of those who invade
00:23their territory.
00:24They spray poo.
00:25Researchers traveled to the Maputo Special Reserve in Mozambique and recorded the sounds
00:29of hippos in various communities.
00:31They then played the sounds of local hippos, neighboring hippos, and stranger hippos back
00:36to each group, finding that not only did playing all three sounds cause the hippos to mark
00:40their territory by spraying poo, but they did so in greater quantities when they heard
00:44the calls of strangers.
00:46This is an interesting find because it means they are less aggressive to their neighbors,
00:49not always a thing in the animal kingdom.
00:51And the research team notes it could help when relocating the animals, priming communities
00:55on both sides of the transfer with the sounds of the other's calls so as to acclimate them
00:59ahead of time, keeping the peace, and preventing any more of this.