Hippopotamus minus the crocodile

A photographer recorded the scene of a crocodile being torn after reaching the beach of hippos.

The crocodile leaped on the backs of hippos to escape.Photo: Vaclav Silha.

Vaclav Silha, who specializes in wildlife photography in the Czech Republic, went to the Grumeti River in Tanzania's Serengeti sanctuary to photograph bathing hippos. But the peaceful scene suddenly broke down when a crocodile appeared in the area where the hippo was playing.

"Hippos and crocodiles all live in the water, so they show respect for each other. The battles between these two species rarely occur. However, most hippos bathe in the river are still very young. think crocodile is a danger, " Silha commented.

Excited, the hippos bared their teeth and bit the crocodile.Photo: Vaclav Silha.

The Czech photographer said the crocodile swam to a newly-born hippopotamus. Immediately the hippopotamus surrounds the mother and daughter pair. It is a scare message that they want to send to crocodiles. Suddenly alligators rushed on the hippos' backs.

"I think the crocodile is panicking and trying to escape. It should not have done that. It was the worst choice in that situation. The hippopotamus was strongly agitated and bared its teeth. I saw crocodiles being torn apart by those teeth, ' Silha said.

Crocodile does not have a chance to survive because every bite of mature hippopotamus can create pressure up to several tons.Photo: Vaclav Silha.

Telegraph said crocodiles have thick skin and large, hard fins. But those things cannot protect the unlucky crocodile before the wrath of the hippopotamus. When angry, an adult hippopotamus can create pressure equivalent to a few tons with a bite.

"Even the hardest crocodile crocodiles can't stand such bites. Obviously the reptile has no chance of escaping. A few seconds later I see his immobile body slipping into the water and no more, " Silha said.

Silha's photos were published in the November issue of BBC Wildlife magazine. His story was published on the Telegraph on November 16.