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| Hippopotamuses | |
|---|---|
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Skin color |
Blue, brown, gray, pink, purple, and tan |
| Eye color |
Black and brown |
| Distinctions |
• Bulbous bodies |
| Sociocultural characteristics | |
| Habitat |
• Marshland |
| Dominions | |
| Notable members | |
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Hippopotamuses are a species of animal native to the Pride Lands.
History[]
Simba's presentation[]
Hippopotamuses attended the presentation of Simba at Pride Rock.[1] During the ceremony, Pumbaa broke wind, causing several hippopotamuses to faint.[2]
Assisting Simba[]
Hippopotamuses helped cub Simba and his best friend, Nala, escape their babysitter, Zazu.[1]
Kiara's presentation[]
Hippopotamuses attended the presentation of Kiara at Pride Rock.[3]
Formation of the Lion Guard[]
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When Simba tasked his son, Kion, with forming the new Lion Guard, Kion gathered his friends: Beshte the hippopotamus, Bunga the honey badger, Fuli the cheetah, and Ono the egret. At first, Simba was critical of Kion's team, as they were not lions. However, Kion appointed them to the Guard anyway, and together, they defeated Janja and his clan, saving Kiara's life in the process. This finally convinced Simba that Kion had chosen his teammates wisely.[4]
Habitat disruption[]
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One day, Beshte brought his friends to Big Springs, where the hippopotamuses lived. While there, Beshte explained to them how the fish picked his hide and teeth clean, and Basi added that the crocodiles ate the fish when the population spiked, thus fulfilling the Circle of Life.
The hippopotamuses return to Big Springs.
In the midst of their talk, Pua, the leader of the crocodiles, approached and asked Basi how the fish were faring. Basi suggested that the float come back the following week, and Pua amicably agreed, leading his crocodiles away. However, before they could leave leave, Makuu accused Pua of being afraid of Basi and challenged him to a mashindano. In the face of the Lion Guard's confusion, Basi explained that a mashindano was a physical contest that determined the leader of the crocodiles.
When the mashindano took place, several hippopotamuses attended. Makuu managed to win the contest and used his newfound authority to invade Big Springs, forcing the hippopotamuses to live at the watering hole. Later, when the Circle of Life was brought back into balance, the crocodiles returned Big Springs to the hippopotamuses. As Makuu strode sullenly out of the water, Basi called out after him, inviting him to come back once the fish were in plenty. He reminded him that all he had to do was ask, and Makuu promised to keep the proposition in mind.[5]
Kupatana[]
Several hippopotamuses attended the Kupatana celebration. Basi performed a choral piece for the opening ceremony, along with Mbuni, Mtoto's mother, Muhanga, and Twiga.[6]
Fuli's swim with hippopotamuses[]
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Worried that Fuli was lonely, Beshte invited her to swim with his pod. However, he accidentally knocked her into the water, and a hippopotamus lifted her back out.[7]
Beshte's mentorship of Mtoto[]
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Beshte meets Mtoto.
When the Lion Guard got alerted to a hyena attack, they arrived on the scene, demanding to know where the hyenas were. At Kion's cry, a group of young animals emerged from the thicket, explaining that they had simply been playing "Lion Guard." Kion pointed out the danger of pretending to be hyenas, and the young animals vowed to never play in such a way again.
A shy Mtoto approached his idol, Beshte, and suggested that the real Lion Guard play with them. The other young animals were excited by this idea, but Kion admitted that they had business elsewhere. However, Mtoto begged Beshte to stay, and the hippopotamus invited Mtoto to watch the Guard train. On their way to the training grounds, Mtoto gushed about his love for Beshte and admitted that it was because of Beshte that he liked the Lion Guard so much.
Beshte brings Mtoto to the Lion Guard's training session.
Once at the training grounds, Beshte told the team that he had brought along Mtoto, and Kion agreed to let the young elephant train with them. First, the team did an obstacle course. However, when it was Mtoto's turn to dash through the water, he got water in his trunk and sprayed it all over Fuli. After Mtoto's mistake, Kion decided to run a stealth-surround drill in which the team would attempt to sneak up on him without alerting him to their presence. However, as they were drilling, Mtoto accidentally fell down a steep cliff and landed on top of Bunga.
After the disaster, Beshte volunteered to walk Mtoto home. On their way home, Beshte encouraged Mtoto by reminding him that he would grow stronger and faster, just as Beshte had. Spirits lifted, Mtoto returned to his friends, more ready than ever to play a game of "Lion Guard." Meanwhile, Beshte got delayed by a group of Pride Landers, who were complaining about the hyenas. Though Beshte promised to take care of the hyenas, he was unaware that Janja and his cronies were trailing Mtoto and his friends at the same moment.
Beshte encourages Mtoto to not give up on his dream.
Eventually, the hyenas caught up to Mtoto and his friends, and the young animals fled in panic. After a brief skirmish, the hyenas targeted Mtoto as the slowest. Meanwhile, Beshte continued to comfort the worried Pride Landers. In the midst of their conversation, the young animals rushed up to Beshte and begged him to save Mtoto. Beshte immediately raced to the rescue.
Just in time, Beshte showed up to save Mtoto from the hyenas, and the two escaped into the water. Together, Beshte and Mtoto managed to avoid the hyenas, who skulked on the edges of the river, trying to catch a bite of them as they passed. However, the two eventually ran into a float of crocodiles, and Beshte encouraged Mtoto to be stealthy as they snuck past. Ono happened to catch sight of Beshte and Mtoto, and alerted the rest of the Guard to the situation.
Beshte and Mtoto escape the crocodiles.
At that moment, Beshte and Mtoto were spotted by the crocodiles, and Mtoto fended them off by spraying water with his trunk. The rest of the Lion Guard soon appeared and dispatched of the crocodiles. During the chaos, the hyenas got knocked into the pool, where they were chased in circles by the crocodile float.
After the rescue, Mtoto related the tale to his friends, who reacted with amazement and awe. Kion approached and volunteered to give each of them a muddy mark of the Lion Guard, to which the young animals crowded around him eagerly. Mtoto, bearing his muddy mark proudly, proclaimed to Beshte that he was his hero, and Beshte, in turn, proclaimed that Mtoto was his.[8]
Beshte's audition with the Bellow Fellows[]
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Beshte began practicing his bellows in anticipation for his audition with the Bellow Fellows. On the day of the audition, he bellowed in front of the group, who praised his skill and invited him to join their ranks. They then happily bellowed together, while the rest of the Lion Guard looked on.[9]
Hippo lanes[]
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Beshte and his father, Basi, make hippo lanes.
After a big rainstorm, Basi and Beshte forged across the Flood Plains, creating paths called "hippo lanes." Basi explained to his son how it was a tradition for hippos to clear the way after a storm, since it was easy for animals to get lost trying to cross the Flood Plains. He commented that a hippo lane should be "straight and true," and told Beshte that it would one day be his job to make hippo lanes through the Flood Plains.
Just then, Basi and Beshte heard a young rhino crying for help. They arrived in time to rescue him from Makuu and his float, whom they chastise for not honoring the rule that no animal was to be attacked while trying to cross the Flood Plains after a rainstorm. Makuu relented but insulted hippos for always following the rules.
Basi and Beshte confront Makuu.
With Makuu gone, Basi and Beshte worked to free the young rhino from the reeds. In the midst of the rescue, the young rhino got spooked by a flock of egrets and accidentally speared Basi with his horn. The two managed to free him from the reeds, and he promised to not cross the Flood Plains again until the hippo lanes were complete.
Shortly after the rescue, the rest of the Lion Guard arrived, and Kion explained that they had heard an animal shouting for help. Beshte reassured him that he and his father had saved the young rhino, and Basi commented that it was time for him to return to the job. However, as he started to walk away, he found himself too injured to move. He tried to continue making hippo lanes, but Kion insisted that he should not be putting weight on his injured leg, and Beshte added that it was just not possible for Basi to be making hippo lanes in his condition.
Beshte expresses concern over Basi's injury.
At that moment, thunder rumbled in the distance. With the impending storm, Basi tasked Beshte with creating more hippo lanes, since Basi himself was too injured to walk. Though Beshte was hesitant to step up to the task, Kion reminded him that he was the strongest in the Pride Lands and that the Lion Guard believed in him. This encouraged Beshte to accept the responsibility. He promptly headed out to clear paths through the Flood Plains, while the rest of the Lion Guard led Basi to solid ground.
After the Lion Guard delivered Basi to safety, Ono arrived with news that a herd of sable antelope were refusing to leave their grazing grounds, even though another storm was on the way. Basi suggested that they lead the antelope to the other side of the Flood Plains, but Ono wondered how they would be able to cross the reeds. Basi reminded him that, by the time the antelope arrived at the Flood Plains, Beshte would be done creating hippo lanes. The Lion Guard thanked him for the idea, then left to save the antelope herd.
Beshte carries Pride Landers across the Flood Plains.
In the meantime, Beshte worked to create hippo lanes across the Flood Plains. In the midst of his work, he ran into Laini the galago, who asked to hitch a ride to Ndefu Grove. Beshte agreed to her request and commented that helping other animals was what the hippo lanes were all about. Along the way, Beshte picked up more passengers, and Chura the frog praised him for his efforts, even defending him in the face of critiques from another Pride Lander. Beshte happily conceded to his passengers' requests and emphasized the importance of creating hippo lanes through the Flood Plains.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Lion Guard led the antelope herd to the edge of the Flood Plains. There, Ono spotted Beshte's hippo lanes and reacted with confusion and shock. As Beshte approached, Ono questioned him on the completion of the hippo lanes, and Beshte explained that he had been crossing the Flood Plains all day, delivering animals from one side to the other. Ono then led Beshte to a high vantagepoint, where he could see the entire Flood Plains, and Beshte realized that he had been cutting twisty paths throughout the area, not "straight and true" lanes like his father had instructed him to make.
Beshte tries in vain to make a straight hippo lane.
Horrified, Beshte proclaimed that his hippo lanes were not useful at all. His distress deepened when Ono notified him that a herd of sable antelope was waiting to cross to the other side of the Flood Plains. Beshte hurriedly rushed back to the water and resolved to make a new hippo lane, one that would help the sable antelope reach the other side of the Flood Plains. However, as he started to make a new lane, Ono warned him that he was making another windy trail, and Beshte began to despair. He then resolved to ask his father for help, while Ono left to warn Kion about the situation.
As a storm began to break over the savanna, Beshte admitted his mistake to his father, who comforted him and confessed that he had been wrong to send Beshte into the Flood Plains alone. He attempted to stand, and Beshte rushed to his aid. Together, the two entered the Flood Plains, with Basi asserting that they could make a straight and true hippo lane together. As the two worked their way across the Flood Plains, Basi struggled to keep up and told Beshte to go on ahead of him. Beshte proudly exclaimed that he would create a straight and true hippo lane and that he would make his father proud, to which Basi said that he had always been proud of his son. Unbeknownst to the two, Makuu and his float were watching from the reeds, plotting a way to get rid of Basi.
Beshte and Basi lead Makuu and his float on a wild chase throughout the Flood Plains.
Eventually, Beshte arrived at the edge of the Plains, to the excitement of his teammates. He started to compliment his father on a job well-done when he noticed that Basi was missing. Concerned, Beshte raced back into the hippo lane in search of his father. Ono monitored Beshte's progress and marveled at the perfectly straight and true hippo lane that had been created. Bunga then announced to the herd that they could cross the Flood Plains safely.
In the meantime, Makuu and his float cornered Basi in the midst of the hippo lane. Just in time, Beshte arrived to defend his father, but Makuu gloated that he and his float had numbers on their side this time. Basi encouraged his son to stand strong against the float, but Beshte reminded Basi that he was injured. He then told his father to follow him through a new hippo lane.
Basi and Beshte survey their work proudly.
With Beshte in the lead, the hippos began to weave a winding trail through the Flood Plains, leading Makuu and his float on a wild chase. The two managed to cross over another hippo lane, but as the crocodiles moved to follow them, they got trampled by Bupu's herd. The crocodiles pulled back, winded, and Beshte chastised them for having endangered the animals of the Pride Lands. Defeated, Makuu and his float swam off into the Flood Plains.
Later, Basi and Beshte overlooked Bupu's herd grazing on the other side of the water. Kion arrived and complimented the hippos on their work, with Bunga adding that everyone loved the new hippo lanes. Ono told Beshte that he was good at making hippo lanes after all, and Basi asserted that he had never had any doubt.[10]
Beshte stranded in the Outlands[]
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While trying to free some zebras from drying mud in a riverbed, Kion decided to use the Roar of the Elders to create a rainstorm. Though the rain loosened the mud, it also caused a flood that swept Beshte down the riverbed and into the Outlands. Stranded and alone, he resolved to reunite with his teammates in the Pride Lands. Unbeknownst to Beshte, he was being watched by Shupavu and her skinks.
Beshte finds himself stranded in the Outlands.
Under Scar's orders, the skinks pretended to befriend Beshte and led him to Rocky Plateau. There, he was ambushed by Janja and his minions, who trapped him in a pit and began dropping heavy boulders on top of him in an attempt to crush him. Just as Beshte was running out of space to dodge the falling boulders, the Lion Guard arrived and fought off the hyenas, which allowed him to escape.
After the rescue, Kion apologized to Beshte, but Beshte pointed out that Kion had only been trying to help. Beshte then bathed in some nearby mud to recover from his sunburn.[11]
Christmas[]
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Basi's pod participated in Bunga's Christmas performance.[12]
Test in the Lair of the Lion Guard[]
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While exploring the Lair of the Lion Guard, the Lion Guard fell through a weak section of floor and started tumbling down a steep incline. Before his teammates could fall off the perilous drop at the bottom, Beshte slowed his momentum and anchored himself in their way, catching them against his side.
Beshte prevents his teammates from falling off a perilous drop.
As the Lion Guard continued deeper underground, they realized that the chamber was a test in which a Lion Guard must prove its worth. Under Kion's leadership, the team reached another chamber, where Makini led them to a painting. She explained that, long ago, a group of evil lions had attempted to overtake the Pride Lands, but Askari and his Lion Guard had foiled their plans using an unstoppable force. She then led them into a chamber where there was a pool of water and yet another painting.
At first, the team could not decipher where the unstoppable force was, but then, Kion realized that it was their reflection - or the Lion Guard itself - that was the unstoppable force. Makini brought the painting to life, showing how Askari's Guard had worked together to defeat the evil lions. As one, the Guard looked up at the painting, which shifted into the symbol of the Guard, and cried out their catchphrase in determination.[13]
Beshte's training of Shujaa[]
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Under Sokwe's orders, Shujaa the gorilla traveled to the Pride Lands and offered his services to the Lion Guard. Upon learning of Shujaa's great strength, the Lion Guard explained that Beshte was the strongest in the Pride Lands, and Shujaa eagerly asked for a demonstration. Though reluctant, Beshte tossed a huge boulder to Shujaa, who threw it right back, nearly hitting Beshte and Ono in the process.
Basi's pod faces off against the Army of Scar.
At that moment, the Lion Guard learned that the Army of Scar was attacking Big Springs. Before the team could stop him, Shujaa went on a rampage, defeating the Outlanders but causing destruction to the Pride Lands in the process. Yet again, the Army of Scar attacked the Pride Landers, and Shujaa defeated them, wreaking havoc in doing so. Kion told Shujaa that he did not know his own strength, and Beshte offered to teach him what he knew.
First, the two encountered some galagos and a serval trapped in a tree. Beshte questioned Shujaa on what they should do, and he suggested uprooting the tree. Beshte asked him to think harder about the problem, and he eventually opted to bend one of the tree branches to the ground so that the serval could climb down safely. The plan worked, until Shujaa let go of the branch, catapulting the galagos into another nearby tree.
Shujaa agrees to train with Beshte.
Next, the two found a butterfly whose wing was trapped beneath a rock. After thinking on the problem, Shujaa gingerly removed the rock, freeing the butterfly. However, in his elation at having helped the butterfly, he pounded on a nearby rock mound, which caused a boulder to come careening toward him. At the last second, Beshte managed to save him.
Finally, Beshte and Shujaa found a dim-sighted Kifaru struggling to reach a watering hole. In an attempt to help Kifaru, Shujaa punched a hole through a canyon wall, only to realize that some hyraxes had been living inside the rock. Though Beshte asserted that they could find the hyraxes a new home, Shujaa resolved to never use his strength again, lest he hurt another animal.
Shujaa rescues an injured Beshte.
Shortly afterward, Ono arrived with news that Big Springs was under attack, and Beshte was forced to join the fight on his own. Upon arriving at the battle, Beshte ordered his pod to stay in the water while he dealt with the Army of Scar. During the fight, however, he got injured, and Ono begged Shujaa for help. For Beshte's sake, Shujaa hastened to Big Springs and carried an injured Beshte to safety. He then defeated the Outlanders with his strength and used dust to put out a deadly fire.
With the Army of Scar defeated, the Lion Guard praised Shujaa, and he resolved to inform Sokwe of what he had learned. He then vowed to assist the Lion Guard, should they ever have need of him.[14]
Scar's attacks on the Pride Lands[]
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Basi's pod attends Makini's mpando mpaya.
One day, Basi's pod got spooked by a disturbance in the water of Big Springs, only for Beshte to reveal that it was merely a young hippopotamus named Kiazi. After the scare, Basi commented that many Pride Landers were on edge because of the recent Outlander attacks.
Later, many Pride Landers, including Basi's pod, attended Makini's mpando mpaya. In the midst of the ceremony, the Army of Scar attacked, setting fire to the grove. Though the Pride Landers initially defended themselves, they were blindsided by the appearance of Scar's spirit in the flames. The apparition taunted them, threatening to overtake the entire Pride Lands, then disappeared without a trace. Terrified, the Pride Landers fled Mizimu Grove, while Kion used the Roar of the Elders to dispatch of the Outlanders. Beshte eventually managed to catch up to his pod and persuaded his father to stop running.
The hippopotamuses resolve to remain in the Pride Lands.
Once the Pride Landers had been calmed, Simba approached them and admitted that he had had knowledge of Scar's return for some time. Basi remarked that it was his duty to protect his pod, whether that be in the Pride Lands or elsewhere. Understanding the Pride Landers' fears, Simba told them to make up their minds about their futures and inform him of their decisions the following morning at Pride Rock.
Come morning, the Pride Landers gathered at Pride Rock to speak with Simba. Just as Basi was about to inform Simba of his pod's decision, Kion interrupted and implored the crowd to follow him to Mizimu Grove. Once there, he showed them how Makini's baobab seed had survived Scar's fire. Inspired by Kion's words, Basi declared that his pod would remain in the Pride Lands, a sentiment the other species leaders quickly echoed.[15]
Kovu's exile[]
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Hippopotamuses helped drive Kovu out of the Pride Lands following his exile by Simba.[3]
Kovu and Kiara's wedding[]
Hippopotamuses attended Kovu and Kiara's wedding at Pride Rock.[3]
Beshte's bad reputation at the Tree of Life[]
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Beshte earns a bad reputation while staying at the Tree of Life.
While at the Tree of Life, Beshte inadvertently caused accidents all around the territory. This earned him a bad reputation as a menace, with the residents even nicknaming him "Poa the Destroyer." Eventually, Rani learned of Beshte's bad reputation and informed the Lion Guard. Heartbroken, Beshte exiled himself from the Tree of Life, believing himself to be a monster.
Later, Beshte ran into Pinguino, who fled up an icy ledge in fear. In doing so, he slipped on the ice and fell from a great height, only for Beshte to catch him on his back. His heart changed, Pinguino declared Beshte's innocence and heroism in front of the other Tree of Life residents, who similarly changed their minds and began to cheer for "Poa."[16]
Battle of the Lion Guards[]
| “ | Imara: To prove who is strongest, Beshte and I will have to push a rock across Chakula Plains. Bunga: Pfft. Beshte could do that in his sleep. Imara: A rock with an elephant on it!
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Beshte reunites with Basi.
Upon returning from the Tree of Life, Beshte reunited with his father.
Shortly afterward, the Lion Guard entered the Lair of the Lion Guard, only to find Vitani and her self-formed Lion Guard already inside. The two groups argued over who was the real Lion Guard until they were interrupted by Laini crying for help. Together, the two Lion Guards followed Laini to where Thurston was stuck in a hole but once more devolved into arguing. With help from Azaad, Thurston freed himself, and Kion remarked that they must sort out their differences. Thurston suggested they formally compete for the right to defend the Pride Lands, and both Lion Guards agreed to the contest.
Beshte competes with Imara during the Battle of the Lion Guards.
Later, at Mizimu Grove, Rafiki presided over the Battle of the Lion Guards. For the strongest's competition, Beshte and Imara each had to push a rock with an elephant on it across Chakula Plains. Though Beshte initially had the upper hand, he began to sunburn on his back and had to jump into a mud pool in the middle of the contest. This allowed Imara to win the event.
Eventually, after Kion forfeited his role as leader of the Lion Guard to Vitani, the spirit of Askari appeared in the clouds overhead and praised Kion for his decision. Kion pointed out that he was no longer the leader of the Lion Guard, but Askari reminded him that the Tree of Life still needed the Roar's protection. The rest of Kion's Lion Guard agreed to protect the Tree of Life, and the Marks of the Night Pride appeared on their shoulders. They then traveled to the Tree of Life and formally joined the Night Pride.[17]
Kion's coronation[]
Basi and Beshte attended Kion's wedding to Rani at the Tree of Life.[17]
Physical characteristics[]
Hippopotamuses are large, bulbous, heavily-built animals with short, stubby limbs. Most are gray or a variation of gray and brown, though some have coats of a blue-ish or purple-ish hue. They have large teeth that stick out of their mouths.[5]
Sociocultural characteristics[]
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Hippopotamuses create "hippo lanes" so that the Pride Landers can cross through the Flood Plains safely.
Hippopotamuses live in pods and tend to occupy watery areas, like springs or rivers. In the Pride Lands, they reside in Big Springs. The fish there like to pick the hippopotamuses' hides and teeth clean.[5] Hippopotamuses also play their part in the Circle of Life. For example, after every rainstorm, hippopotamuses create "hippo lanes" in the tall grass so that the Pride Landers can cross through the Flood Plains safely, a long-standing tradition.[10]
Hippopotamuses are known for being rule-followers who adhere to the Circle of Life. As a result, they used to come into frequent conflict with Makuu, who desired an overabundance of territory and food.[10] In the Pride Lands, there is a group of hippopotamuses who love to bellow called the Bellow Fellows.[9]
Notable hippopotamuses[]
Appearances[]
Trivia[]
- Hippopotamuses are featured in the "Who's Hungrier?" episode of It's UnBungalievable!
References[]
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