African Safari Photo Journal #9 : Mara River

This is the ninth post in an ongoing series showcasing photos from STP customer Ray Boyd’s September 2007 African safari in Tanzania.

Crossing the Mara River

Dangers abound in Africa… especially if you’re low on the food chain. Predators are seemingly everywhere — armed with big teeth and sharp claws. The rivers are no exception. The Mara River, though it looks calm and harmless from afar, is a dangerous place for the animals that cross it and drink from it.

Wildebeest and other ungulates cross the Mara River annually during the big migration. As you can see from this photo, many never make it across (those lumps aren’t rocks). Some will drown in the swift current. Others will become hurt along the way and simply not be able to go on. And still others…

… will get eaten by the giant crocodiles waiting just below the surface of the murky water. This crocodile here, finishing off a wildebeest carcass, is between 20 and 22 feet long. He most likely weighs more than one ton. Mara River crocs love the migration, and for good reason. Dinner serves itself.

Crocodiles don’t settle for wildebeest only — they also enjoy feasting on the many birds that flock to the river for a cool drink. But crocs are discriminatory in the birds they choose to dine upon. This crocodile is sunning himself on a rock with his mouth open. But he’s not looking for a meal — he’s looking to get his teeth flossed. Small plover birds will land in his mouth and clean his teeth for him. This symbiotic relationship benefits both species.

Lest you think the only danger lurking in the river is the crocodile, don’t forget the animal responsible for the most human deaths in Africa… the hippopotamus. Hippos, or river cows as they’re sometimes called, are notoriously grumpy. While they are mainly herbivores, they have been known to snack on small animals. Their strong jaws open unbelievably wide and they can crush just about anything between their teeth. Hippos are enormous in size, but eat very little when compared to body weight. You could say they’re one of the most energy efficient animals on the planet.