Hippopotami may look peaceful but they are one of the most dangerous animals in the South African animal kingdom. Hippos cause the majority of human fatalities from animal attacks in South Africa.   The two-ton heavy and four meter long mammals are herbivores and eat mainly grasses along the riverbeds.   The "yawning" of the hippos is a warning to an intruder. If the intruder ignores this warning the herd will, in all likelihood, attack the intruder. It is very dangerous to sail along a river in a small boat, as hippos will often attack these boats. There is an invisible path between a mother and her calf, and if your boat unknowingly crosses this path, the mother will attack to protect her baby. Once a person is in the water, their chances of survival are very slim as the teeth of a hippo are very sharp.   You will be able to see hippos in the Krüger National Park and the St. Lucia Wetland Park, as well as in Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.     Hippopotami - South Africa   Hippopotamus   Hippopotamus - South Africa     Hippopotamus - South African Safari