Hippos are in constant need of water, not only because they need to drink, but because they need to stay cool. As this particular lagoon begins to dry up, any hippos living inside of it must evacuate quickly if they are to avoid getting trapped in the entrapping mud – a circumstance that can have dire consequences.
One male hippo has determined that it’s time to look for a new hangout, and after leaving the muddy pit, he goes on to look for a new natural water source and females to mate with. Upon finding a still-wet lagoon full of other hippos, the male makes his way into the water.
It’s not uncommon for a herd of hippos to be dominated by a male overlord, and he gets exclusive mating rights with the local females. Other males have one of two choices: 1) submit to the male overlord; or 2) fight him for the chance to earn the crown. This particular male has decided that he will engage the male overlord.
After a quick spat in the water, the male is defeated by the overlord. As it would seem, the overlord will keep his mating rights, and the only thing the newbie will get to enjoy is a little bit of fresh water.
