Pink Hippo Sighting
Published by A rare pink hippo was captured on camera in Africa.
Hippos are usually brownish-gray in color, with a light pink color underneath.
Image via Wikipedia
The pink hippo was found in Masai Mara. Masai Mara is in Kenya, and is a National Game Reserve. All kinds of animals can be seen in Masai Mara. The wildlife reserve is a popular spot for viewing the wildebeest migration.
Gazelles in Masai Mara in Kenya-Image via Wikipedia
Pink hippos have also been sighted on more than one occasion in Uganda.
The pink hippo was sighted by two nature photographers. The photographers, Matt and Will Burrard-Lucas are brothers based in the U.K. Their images are displayed in many locations, including the Natural History Museum in London. The brothers spotted the pink hippo as it emerged from the Mara River, accompanied by its mother.
A Hippo Pup with its Mother-Image via Wikipedia
See some of their photos of the pink hippo here:
http://blog.burrard-lucas.com/2010/09/rare-pink-hippo-discovered-in-the-masai-mara/
Pink hippos are a rarity. Scientists say that the pink hippo’s color is the result of a condition known as leucism. An animal that suffers from leucism is more vulnerable to predators, since it stands out because of its color. It will also have less protection from damage from the sun’s rays.
Hippos, however, are too big to be easy targets for most predators. Hippos also secrete an oily substance that functions as a sunscreen. They spend a great deal of their time in the water.
Leucism is found birds, snakes, cows, dogs and many other animals. It’s a condition in which there is much less pigmentation than normal. In a leucistic animal, large areas of skin will lack cells that can be used by the body to make pigment. Leucism affects the production of all kinds of skin pigment, including melanin. With birds, leucism prevents melanin from being deposited properly on feathers.
Image via Wikipedia
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Liked it
On April 10, 2011 at 3:11 pm
Thank you my grands love this article.
On April 10, 2011 at 4:17 pm
Good to know Adrn
On April 10, 2011 at 4:24 pm
how big
On April 10, 2011 at 5:06 pm
Okay, good article.
On April 10, 2011 at 5:42 pm
Is leucism similar to albinism?
On April 10, 2011 at 5:45 pm
I thought they were all pink out of water Sharif… or maybe I am thinking about them cow things… in the Everglades or somewhere like that cheers
On April 10, 2011 at 6:33 pm
@ Webs
They are pretty big. An adult hippo weighs about 7,000 pounds.
On April 10, 2011 at 6:34 pm
Very interesting article
On April 10, 2011 at 6:47 pm
An interesting article, I hope the hippos will be all right.
On April 10, 2011 at 7:11 pm
@ Webs
An adult hippo weighs about 7,000 pounds.
On April 10, 2011 at 7:12 pm
Hi Guy.
On April 10, 2011 at 7:15 pm
@ Rhodora
They are similar. However leucism affects all the skin pigments. Albinism only affects melanin.
On April 10, 2011 at 7:17 pm
Hi Matt,
.
No, they aren’t
On April 10, 2011 at 7:18 pm
Thanks Elna.
On April 10, 2011 at 7:22 pm
Hi Tulan.
On April 10, 2011 at 9:34 pm
Interesting animal. I like the photo with one big and one small hippos.
On April 10, 2011 at 10:23 pm
I hope they will be able to survive.
On April 11, 2011 at 1:49 am
Lol,I thought it was really all pink. Great research my friend! I wish to see them in person.
On April 11, 2011 at 1:52 am
Lol,I thought it was really all pink! Great research my friend! I wish to see them in person.
On April 11, 2011 at 2:25 am
Great read awesome research
On April 11, 2011 at 4:32 am
Uniqueness is what makes all living things beautiful ^_^
On April 11, 2011 at 7:46 am
Look at their teeth! haha…. really very interesting post… by the way, why “pink” when I can’t see that colour? lol.
Also, I notice the gazelles (2nd pic), the pair of horn, one glance look like the spring or screw.
On April 11, 2011 at 9:09 am
@Linda
Glad you like it
On April 11, 2011 at 9:12 am
I do too Ruby.
On April 11, 2011 at 9:22 am
Hi MTR and Chip.
On April 11, 2011 at 9:24 am
Definitely Alma.
@Star
Lol
On April 11, 2011 at 9:58 am
We have many hippos here in Uganda but they are generally dark, not pink! Very nice work here!
On April 11, 2011 at 10:13 am
That’s a great news
On April 11, 2011 at 12:28 pm
They look scary upfront, but when in pink, they look lovable LOL. Great share!
On April 11, 2011 at 1:04 pm
That last hippo looks like he (or she) is telling a joke, haha.
On April 11, 2011 at 2:17 pm
Hi Gaby and Galore.
On April 11, 2011 at 2:22 pm
Thanks Gvg.
@ lew
Maybe they are
On April 12, 2011 at 2:29 pm
Are these hippos on the protected list?
On August 10, 2011 at 4:53 pm
Yes, hippos are on the list of endangered or vulnerable species.