Hippopotamus mother and calf, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

© Nature Picture Library/Alam

Hippopotamus

All eyes are on hippopotamuses today! The third-largest land mammals—after elephants and white rhinos—deserve our attention. Categorised as a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, these semiaquatic animals are native to Sub-Saharan Africa. This peeping calf in today's image is still under the watchful eye of its mother and will continue to be so until nursing ends at about eight months. The chubby mammals, with an impressive weight of up to about 1,500 kilograms, might seem cute, but their strong jaws, large teeth and aggressive behaviour make them one of the world's most dangerous wild animals. So, admire them from a safe distance—despite their short legs, they are also fast runners!