Tonight on VS,
we'll see who’s boss
when two of Africa’s biggest,
baddest beasts
go head-to-head in the ring.
Get ready for a Sub-Saharan
smackdown.
In this corner,
bringing a bone-crushing bite
and bad attitude,
“Hippopotamus”
“I’m the hippopotamus”.
Despite being
land animals
hippos love water
and spend up to 16 hours per day
submerged in rivers,
lakes and swamps.
Just like our mother in law's.
Am I right?
No, seriously.
She's a wonderful lady.
They even bring
their own sunscreen for beach days
since their skin glands produce
an oily, pinkish
sweat to protect them
from UV radiation and bacteria.
Do you mind
getting my back for me?
But don’t invite a hippo
to your pool party just yet!
These territorial
and often aggressive beasts
kill up to 500 humans
per year in Africa.
Speaking of animals to avoid,
here comes our next competitor.
And he’s coming in hot, folks.
Charging into the ring,
Cape buffaloes
live and travel
in huge herds,
with packs
reaching thousands of members.
Highly protective
with unpredictable tempers,
these beasts are born
ready to fight.
No, seriously.
Calves can stand
within 10 minutes of their birth.
They level up to a walk
soon after to keep up
with their ever-moving herd.
Yeah,
you couldn't even move your head
when you were born!
Cape buffaloes don’t hesitate
to fight back
when confronted with predators
like lions, hyenas and humans.
Trophy hunters
think this kill
is a major accomplishment,
but sometimes the hunter pays
the ultimate price.
Cape buffaloes
have killed more hunters
in Africa than any other animal,
taking down
as many as 200 people per year.
This could be anyone's game.
Let's bring out our
fierce fighters!
These two are bulky,
to say the least.
Male cape buffaloes
weigh about 800 kg (1,764 lb),
although the heavyweights
have reached a whopping
1,000 kg (2,204 lb).
But remember, folks,
hippos are the second-largest
land animal for a reason!
Adult males weigh up to
4,500 kg (9,920 lb),
so even the biggest
cape buffalo would be
a small fry in comparison.
The hippo stomps to success,
winning Round 1!
Despite their supersize stature,
hippos are stealthy
and can move silently
through the water
toward their unsuspecting targets.
And good luck surviving
a bite from this powerhouse
predator.
A hippo’s bite force
is about 12,600 kPa (1,827 psi).
That chomp is strong enough
to cut us in half.
Like a magician,
but without the,
you know,
putting you back together part.
A cape buffalo's most dangerous
weapon is their massive temper.
These beasts often circle
back to challenge a hunter
when provoked.
Resilient and persistent,
cape buffaloes will keep on charging
even if they’re injured.
The males have a sharp set of horns
joined in the middle
called a boss,
which doubles as a helmet
You wouldn't want to pick a fight
with one of these guys.
The cape buffalo takes Round 2!
A hippo relies on its bulky body,
sharp teeth and environment
for protection.
With skin
as thick as 5 cm (2 in)
on their flanks
and canine teeth measuring
as long as 50 cm (20 in),
this fighter can hold its own.
Its comfort in and around
the water gives the hippo
the home field advantage,
especially since
it can hold its breath
for five minutes
straight underwater.
A cape buffalo’s thick fur
and protective horns
would aid it in a battle,
as well as being
watchful and alert.
They're used to traveling in
and protecting large herds.
So an adult male would be
on the lookout for danger.
But a sneak attack on a solitary
buffalo could be deadly,
as it has poor sight
and relies on its herd
for defense.
A herd of cape buffaloes
can take on
an aggressive predator,
but unfortunately
for our contestant,
he's looking pretty lonely.
Once the hippo's powerful jaws
grab ahold and drag the buffalo
to the water,
it’s game over.
Give it up for that
bone-crushing bite!
The hippopotamus wins!
Looking for more animal showdowns?
See for yourself
what goes down
when the hippo
takes on the rhino!
We’ll see who wins
on another round of VS.