All Aboard! Cute Baby Turtles Hitch Free Ride On Hippo's Back

This hippo happily gave a ride across the pond to a group of turtles/Caters

Being only tiny, it might have taken them a while to swim across the waterhole themselves.

So this gaggle of rather clever baby turtles came up with the excellent idea to hitch a lift - on a hippo.

A new adorable photo shows around 12 of the green turtles perched on the hippo’s back as it lazily makes its way across the stretch of water in South Africa’s Kruger National Park.

The cute critters were caught on camera by South African photographer Rudi du Plessis, 38.

Rudi, who currently lives in Brackley, Northants, said: “I’ve never seen anything like this before!

"I’m not an expert on hippos, but perhaps the turtles keep him free from parasites or insects.”

Despite their gentle giant style appearance, hippos are easily frightened and aggressive and won’t hesitate to attack a human, especially if their young are near.

As a result, they are known for being one of the most dangerous animals on the African continent.