Water Holes

Water holes in Kruger attract animals from miles around to drink. Every type of animal can be seen at a water hole, but water holes are home to two giant animals, hippos and crocodiles. These two animals are very different, one is a mammal (hippo), one is a reptile (croc),hippos are vegetarians and crocodiles are carnivores but both are very dangerous. Hippos and crocodiles live in the same environment. They both spend most of their time in water, be it a river or a lake. Crocodiles are ambush hunters who lie in wait submerged in the water.When a crocodile grabs its prey it pulls it into the water and drowns its prey. Hippos are herbivores who mostly leave the water to grase. The water keeps the hippos cool during the scorching hot day, if a hippo does not have any water to keep cool its skin starts to turn a pinky colour to protect against sun burn. Hippos are most dangerous when a human comes between them and the water, they often attack because they feel threatened. Hippos are often stereotyped as large fat, friendly creatures, this is untrue a hippo is very fast even out of water, faster than any human. Water holes are always full of life, animals can be attracted to this habitat for food, drink or to keep cool. It is not just large animals that are attracted to water holes, but creatures such as insects and king fishers. In Kruger insects are an annoyance to both animals and humans, Kruger is a malaria zone and people should take tablets to prevent them getting sick (especially in the wet season) The next post will contain pictures i took in Kruger of both crocodiles and hippos. The picture above is my picture. Morgan Colclough