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Juvenile Hippos


Juvenile Hippos
Photo Information
Copyright: Carl Landsberg (Jakkals) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 187 W: 3 N: 587] (2813)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2012-10-21
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon 7D, Canon EF 600mm f4.0L IS USM
Exposure: f/4, 1/1250 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Juveniles [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2012-10-25 12:23
Viewed: 2942
Points: 38
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hi TN friends,
It’s been awhile since I have been on TN. This photograph was taken at Mabelingwe, a small nature reserve in the Limpopo province in South Africa. I was sitting at one of the dams when I noticed two Hippopotamus cows with their calves. It was not long before the two juveniles started honing their fighting skills so much needed in adulthood. Enjoy and comments are welcome.
Regards,
Carl

Hippopotamus
Etymology
The word "hippopotamus" is derived from the ancient Greek ἱπποπόταμος, hippopotamos, from ἵππος, hippos, "horse", and ποταμός, potamos, "river", meaning "horse of the river". In English, the plural is hippopotamuses, but hippopotami is also used; hippos can be used as a short plural. Hippopotamuses are gregarious, living in groups of up to 30 animals; such a name is called a pod, herd, dale, or bloat.
In Africa, the hippo is known by various names, including Seekoei (Afrikaans), Mvuvu (Venda), Kubu (Lozi) and Mvubu (Xhosa, Siswati and Zulu) in the south; Kiboko (Swahili), Ensherre (Nkore), Tomondo (Turu), Nvubu (Luganda), Ifuru (Luhya), Emiria (Ateso), Magawit (Sebei), Kibei (Kalenjin) and Olmakau (Maasai) in the Great Lakes region and Gumarre (Amharic) and Jeer (Somali) in the Horn.

Reproduction
Hippos are born underwater.
Female hippos reach sexual maturity at five to six years of age and have a gestation period of 8 months. A study of endocrine systems revealed that female hippopotamuses may begin puberty as early as 3 or 4 years of age. Males reach maturity at around 7.5 years. A study of hippopotamus reproductive behavior in Uganda showed that peak conceptions occurred during the end of the wet season in the summer, and peak births occurred toward the beginning of the wet season in late winter. This is because of the female's estrous cycle; as with most large mammals, male hippopotamus spermatozoa is active year round. Studies of hippos in Zambia and South Africa also showed evidence of births occurring at the start of the wet season. After becoming pregnant, a female hippopotamus will typically not begin ovulation again for 17 months.
Mating occurs in the water with the female submerged for most of the encounter, her head emerging periodically to draw breath. Baby hippos are born underwater at a weight between 25 and 45 kg (60–110 lb) and an average length of around 127 cm (50 in) and must swim to the surface to take their first breath. A mother typically gives birth to only one hippo, although twins also occur. The young often rest on their mothers' backs when in water that is too deep for them, and they swim underwater to suckle. They also will suckle on land when the mother leaves the water. Weaning starts between six and eight months after birth and most calves are fully weaned after a year. Like many other large mammals, hippos are described as K-strategists, in this case typically producing just one large, well-developed infant every couple of years (rather than large numbers of small, poorly developed young several times per year as is common among small mammals such as rodents).
maaciejka, anel, drchoneydew, marius-secan, CeltickRanger, Mamagolo2 has marked this note useful
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To drchoneydew: Juvenile HipposJakkals 1 10-26 12:18
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2012-10-25 12:46]

Hello Carl,
How good to see you back with a new photo.
Fantastic action photo in great sharpness, details and very beautiful natural colours. Taken from a nice low POV.
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659] (65489)
  • [2012-10-25 15:08]

Hi Carl,spectacular capture of this young hippos playing on the water,what a beautiful and original pic and what a great quality of details despite the distance and the quick mouvement! Very well done!Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

  • Great 
  • tuslaw Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2754 W: 282 N: 4931] (19883)
  • [2012-10-25 19:12]

Hello Carl,
This is definitely something you don't see here in Ohio!! Great capture showing plenty of action as these youngsters enjoy a bit of tussle in the water. Focus is sharp and colors true and natural. I'll bet they made quite a splash and probably some noise too. Well done!!
Ron

Hi Carl,
what an unusual photo this is! Excellent point of view and presentation. Nice composition. Very good point of view.
Thanks for sharing,
Maciek

Amazing scene Carl! Great photo with very good timing, excellent composition, wonderful colours and good sharpness.
Regards,
Christodoulos

Welcome back Carl ...and what a comeback indeed !!! WOW!
Regards,
George Veltchev

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 3053 W: 3 N: 8715] (40574)
  • [2012-10-26 5:32]

Hello Carl,
A very playful picture! Love this kind of vivid shots. Wonderful moment from wildlife, well shown with your lovely picture.
Thanks!
Kind regards
Anne

Oh just LOVE this capture, awesome sharpness and details of a great moment!

Hello Carl,
Another lovely scene this time with a wonderful baby hippo.
The colors and details are excellent. Very nice composition and POV.
Outstanding WB....I like the superb natural colors.
Thanks for sharing!
Marius.

Hello Carl

The beauties and the beasts together in this wonderful composition..Not that the beasts themselves are less beautiful to the appreciating eye. Stunning in every way. Thanks for sharing.

Himanshu

Ciao Carl, great capture of young couple in fantastic action, excellent sharpness, fine details and wonderful natural colors, very well done, my friend, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

hello Carl,
what a perfect moment you capture with great sharpness, perfect colour and good framing.
very nice picture,
best wishes,
samiran

  • Great 
  • pirate Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 799 W: 152 N: 1186] (7474)
  • [2012-10-27 11:19]

That's a perfect timing Carl
great sharpness with your new lens, just look at the droplets in the air
very nice
Tfs
Tom

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3097 W: 109 N: 12399] (52850)
  • [2012-10-27 11:36]

Hello Carl,
very nice, you captured these hippos very well. POV, details and colors are wonderful. Very nice composition.Regards Siggi

Hello Carl

WOW ! great action photo, shot with excellent timing,
with a very fine low POV at their level,
great focus, sharpness and details, TFS

Asbed

Hello Carl!!!!
Nice to see again over here!
So fantastic shot showing a lovely scene!Nice lighting!A real nature shot!Well done!
Nice week!
aNa


PS: thanks for visiting my gallery!I appreciated it!

WOW Boet,
This is fantastic!! I love the way the water splashes around them. Such clarity and sharpness of each drop. This is a fantastic come back! Never seen this before. Excellent.
Lovies
Nat

Hello Carl,
What a pleasant and joyful image of these two frolicking in the water. That lens is really coming into its own here but no lens will ever make it without a photographer behind it. Very well done with having been there, having seen it and having been ready for it. Amazing activity in such sharpness. Very well done indeed. Best wishes.
Neels

Dear Carl,

A nice contribution for my theme "Juveniles". Thanks for sharing.
Do you have any clue about the age of these two? They do not appear to have yet the 'Killer Teeth".

I shudder to think how naive I was, after we came to South Africa , and I approached a herd of hippos to some 15 meters in the Okavango ...

In Hazyview they are rampant, and tourists walking in the evening to the restaurant get bitten in half...

Have a good week
Warm greetings
Ingrid

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