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Fearless Elephant Playfully Blasts Sleeping Hippo
12 Jun
Summary
- An elephant sprayed water at a hippo, startling it awake.
- The hippo did not retaliate, unlike most other animals would.
- Such boldness is possible because elephants are large and powerful.

A recent video captured an elephant playfully splashing a sleeping hippo with water from its trunk. The hippo, initially unbothered, was eventually startled awake by a second direct splash. This interaction is noteworthy because few other animals would dare to disturb a hippo, known for its powerful and unpredictable nature.
The incident occurred at a watering hole, a vital shared space where animals navigate social dynamics and competition. This glimpse into interspecies interactions can foster a deeper connection with wildlife, potentially increasing public interest in protecting the habitats that support these creatures and vital ecosystems.
Hippos are the third-largest land mammals, surpassed only by elephants and white rhinos. This significant size difference explains why the elephant could approach and interact with the hippo without apparent risk, a feat that would likely provoke a dangerous response from smaller animals.