The relationship between hippos and crocodiles is really amazing.

They seem to get along with each other, and in some cases, even enjoy each others company. The hippos are not in danger from the crocodiles, except perhaps the very young. There are some amazing scenes of young crocodiles climbing on the backs of hippos, and of hippos nudging gently the crocodiles basking on the beach. If this wasnt interesting enough, at one point, when the group of crocodiles is twisting and eating an antelope, a female hippo comes over and starts to mouth and lick the crocodiles. Strictly vegetarians, she doesnt want to eat any of the meat. She is intent on licking and mouthing the crocodiles, even the biggest one who is eating the antelope head at the time! Very strange but very interesting behavior.

The relationships between hippos and crocodiles are another point of interest. On many occasions, Karen has observed a female hippo grooming a crocodile basking in the sun, licking the reptile's hide for up to 15 minutes, then ending the session with a huge open-mouth gape. Crocs also take advantage of the hippos in the water, swimming underneath to catch fish attracted to the hippos' dung. But hippo behavior doesn't always work in the crocodile's favor. Hippos often warn other animals drinking at the river's edge of an approaching predator. They have even been known to intervene and attempt to wrestle prey out of the jaws of the croc. Elsewhere in Africa where this behavior has been noted, the hippo will take the animal back to shore if it is still alive and stand over it until it recovers.

Hippos and Crocs, Some Strange Symbiotic Relationship?

filed under: Nature tags: crocodile, hippo 18 January 2008

Ah, peace-loving, vegan hippos hanging with carnivorous, blood-lusting crocodiles. They get along so easily. Why cant we?

Shoes: Shoe dreams deal with walking certain paths in our lives. If you are wearing tight Shoes, the road you are traveling is hard, and much sorrow is involved. Comfortable Shoes indicate you are in a good place in your life and success is around the corner. Buying Shoes indicates you still have quite a distance to travel until you reach your goals. Dirty, worn-down Shoes encourages us to examine our spiritual walk, or asks us to take a walk of faith. See Shoe Symbolism and Superstitions (blog) here.
Kurtz is renowned with his way with words and ability to make anyone listen to him. Marlow is very much mesmerized by Kurtzs ability to talk as the man presented him [to Marlow] as a voice. Marlow, like other seeker in other quests believes that Kurt will have (or will be) some sort of an answer to his questions of humanity and the hollowness of European imperialism. However, while Kurtzs gift of speaking may turn words into illuminating beams of light, equally, it has the same ability to be turned into deceitful shadows from the heart of darkness. Therefore, perhaps, implying that Kurtzs ability could either inspire Marlow or any other man to follow Kurtzs ideals about enlightening Africa. However, on the same note, his ability could turn another man ruthless and *DONT UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION!!!!!!