NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



only the nostrils above the surface ; or else they lie 

 at the bottom of a deep pool and rise every five 

 minutes or so to breathe. Such are the artifices 

 animals are driven to adopt by man. 



When the approach of night makes it safe to 

 expose themselves, they venture ashore to feed along 

 tracks trodden thoroughly by their nightly excur- 

 sions. These tracks are known as " Hippo paths," 

 and intersect the reeds and bush in all directions, 

 radiating from the deep pool which happens to be 

 their home. They usually confine their rambles 

 in search of food to within about a mile, but when 

 food is insufficient for their needs within this 

 radius, the Hippos will travel several miles if neces- 

 sary, returning to their watery home before day- 

 break. Occasionally a Hippo makes an exception- 

 ally distant excursion, and finding it cannot get 

 home before daybreak, seeks out the nearest pool, 

 and conceals itself in it until darkness again makes 

 it possible for it to travel home in safety. In situa- 

 tions where they are protected, they become quite 

 tame, and may frequently be seen wandering about 

 in search of food during the daytime, or sleeping 

 in the shade in a huddled-up heap. Their food 

 consists of young shoots, herbs, grasses, reeds, etc. 

 They do not eat fruit, or grub for roots or bulbs. 

 Should there be cultivated lands in the neighbour- 

 hood of their lair, the Hippos will sooner or later 

 visit them and do immense damage, for, owing to 

 their enormous bulk, they are able to eat great 



i6o 



