This lioness got the surprise of her life when she disturbed a resting hippo.

Likely interested in a meal as she roamed the Maasai Mara, the lioness approached the hippo to investigate. But the colossal animal gave the big cat quite a scare when it immediately turned around and began chasing after her.

Hippos are thought to be the most dangerous mammals in Africa, killing an estimated 2,900 people every year. And no wonder — their mammoth jaws are extremely strong, and their teeth weigh an average of 6.5 pounds each and can grow to just under feet long. Astonishingly, these gigantic animals can also run up to 30 miles per hour, so charging opponents is an easy feat.

Even predators as fierce as lions have reason to be cautious around these massive beasts, as this lioness learned when she got too close.



At one point, the hippo even grabbed the lioness by the neck and effortlessly tossed her around. Somehow, the lioness was able to free herself — narrowly escaping with her life.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a hippo show lions who’s boss. In another encounter captured on camera, four lionesses attempt to take on a hippo, but the massive beast proves to be too much even for the group.





