Remarkable Hippo Discovery: Insights into Their Surprising Locomotion on Land

A recent study reveals hippos, while bulky and semi-aquatic, can achieve airborne speeds on land. Unlike elephants, which never become airborne, hippos trot and sometimes lift all four feet off the ground. This discovery highlights the unique athletic capabilities of hippos and provides new insights into large mammal locomotion.

In 1872, Leland Stanford hired inventor Eadweard Muybridge to determine if a trotting horse's feet all left the ground. Muybridge's work paved the way for cinematography and captured the airborne movements of various animals. His speculation about hippos' movements inspired further study.

Modern research explores how hippos move on land. Unlike elephants, hippos, which weigh up to 1400 kg, trot and can become airborne at fast speeds. This challenges previous assumptions about their locomotion and athletic capabilities.

Using digital videos and online footage, researchers found hippos prefer trotting even at slow speeds and sometimes achieve brief airborne moments. This reveals that hippos possess unique locomotive abilities among large mammals.

(With inputs from agencies.)