Therefore, crocodiles are predators and hippos are effectively prey so how come they lie next to each other in peace around a waterhole? The reality is that given half a chance a crocodile would attack and feed on a hippo but they do not because of just how dangerous a hippo can be.
Although crocodiles are large, powerful creatures, they cannot kill a fully-grown hippo.
The reason crocs live together somewhat peaceably with hippos is because hippos don't eat meat* and crocs usually understand it's foolhardy to attempt to attack an adult hippo. So, they don't even try. No interest on the hippo side and nearly assured destruction on the croc's side.
Nile crocodiles, lions, and spotted hyenas are known to prey on young hippos. Beyond these, adult hippos are not usually preyed upon by other animals due to their aggression and size. Cases where large lion prides have successfully preyed on adult hippos have been reported, but it is generally rare.
Scientists and herpetologists who have studied Gustave claim that his uncommon size and weight impede his ability to hunt the species' usual agile prey such as fish, antelope and zebra, forcing him to attack larger animals such as hippopotamus, large buffalo and, to some extent, humans.
The hippo will win any day, anytime, with all things being equal. The hippo is at least twice the size of the saltwater crocodile and has teeth that are enormous and more deadly. The only thing the saltwater crocodile can do is plague the hippo at its feet.
Besides lions, the Spotted Hyena and the Nile crocodile are the other predators for hippopotamuses. Due to the size and aggression, adult hippos are rarely preyed on and the predators only target the young calves.
But despite their size and strength, there are animals that do prey on them. Man appears to be their biggest predator. Big cats like leopards and panthers sometimes kill and eat these big reptiles. Large snakes can also do a lot of damage to alligators and crocodiles.
"Lions can kill anything—there are famous areas in Africa where the prides are large and get used to taking down elephants. [But] it still is pretty rare" for the cats to take on hippos, said Luke Hunter, president of the wild cat conservation group Panthera.
Do Lions Eat Crocodiles? Lions eat crocodiles even though these are not their preferred meat source. A lion's diet comprises mainly land animals such as zebras, antelopes, buffaloes, and wildebeests.
If the fight takes place in an open area, then the rhino would likely win due to its greater speed and agility. However, if the fight takes place in water, then the hippo would likely have the advantage due to its greater strength and jaw power.
In an elephant vs hippo fight, the elephant is going to win. Assuming both creatures are fully grown adults, the elephant is just too big for the hippo to handle. Hippos are too smart to pick a fight with an elephant, so they have no idea what it takes to bring one down.
Elephants seldom fight crocodiles, however, mothers will protect their young fiercely, and male elephants can be hostile during mating. This was an extraordinary occurrence. It is not the first instance an elephant has been shown in the wild killing a crocodile.
This is why baby hippos, which crocodiles will attack if they catch them alone, are often seen chewing on the skin of crocodiles, perhaps to aid their teething.
If there is one animal that could bring down a full-grown hippo in a fight, it is an adult elephant. Elephants have the size and strength advantage over the hippo, and their tusks give them superior reach.
Even if a swimming tiger catches up with a hippo, it'll have a tough time winning the fight. Hippos have thick, strong skin that protects them from predators. Plus, their massive body makes them almost impossible to take down. Hippos have the most powerful jaws in the animal kingdom with a bite force of 1,800 psi.
Tiger Predators: Crocodile
A crocodile can eat a tiger if given the opportunity. While big cats aren't usually part of a croc's diet, they will eat anything if they are hungry enough.
Diet. The green anaconda will eat anything it can catch and overpower including rats, fish, birds, tapirs, capybaras, deer, warthogs, caimans, other snakes and reptiles, and even crocodiles. It is possible that on several occasions in the last decades that anacondas have even taken live humans.
The largest living reptile documented by science is the saltwater crocodile. They ambush their prey before drowning and swallowing them whole. The saltwater crocodile is one of the only crocodiles able to regularly kill and eat sharks.
Why tardigrades are so damn tough. It's important to note: Tardigrades are basically indestructible only when they enter a special state called cryptobiosis. In harsh environments, the animals tuck in their legs and expel all moisture from their bodies. In this state, they're called tuns.
Animals with no natural predators are called apex predators, because they sit at the top (or apex) of the food chain. The list is indefinite, but it includes lions, grizzly bears, crocodiles, giant constrictor snakes, wolves, sharks, electric eels, giant jellyfish, killer whales, polar bears, and arguably, humans.
If the grizzly were fighting a wildebeest or moose, it'd only need to land one big bite. But this is a grizzly bear vs. hippo battle, and hippos have thick hides. The grizzly bear must go all out with multiple bites and claw slashes to overpower the thick-skinned hippo.