Geese are grazers and will often fly long distances every day from their roost sites to good grasslands. In the agricultural settlements around Arusha National Park, Egyptian geese often cause damage to newly planted crops like maize. Hippopotamuses are often seen near the island in Small Momela Lake. It is not known exactly why hippos spend most of the day submerged, but they have a very porous skin, and the behavior is thought to prevent dehydration. They swim very well and dive for periods of about three minutes before coming up to breathe noisily.
Females give birth to a single calf either on land or in the water.
As you watch hippos you will most likely hear them grunting and might see them spreading their dung with vigorous wagging movements of their short strong tails. It is safe to watch hippos from the bank as they bask in water, but they should be avoided if found on land. Hippos are usually placid creatures but can become very aggressive if an intruder gets between them and their pool. Other animals which you might see on your circuit of the lakes are bushbuck, buffalo, waterbuck, Bohor reedbuck and occasionally elephants, as they emerge from cover in early morning and late evening at Kinandia Swamp, or in the cleared pastures at the northern end of Small Momela Lake. Special Thanks to Thomson Safaris and Tanzania National Parks for contributing Tanzanian information.