They are found usually only in protected areas. Hippos feed by plucking grass with their wide muscular lips. They come ashore at night to feed. They spend the day digesting and socializing in the water. Hippos form large dense aggregations.
Members often lie in contact with one another.
Males compete to monopolize females by defending a stretch of river or lake shore. I was very patient and rewarding with a pleasing photo on this very warm day. Please note hippos are a very dangerous animal not to be taken lightly. More humans are killed by hippos than any other animal in Africa. Nikor lens on a Gitzo tripod.