Study Shows Hippos Lift All Four Feet Off the Ground While Running at Top Speed

A groundbreaking study from the Royal Veterinary College has revealed that hippos can, in fact, get all four feet off the ground while running at full speed. The research, led by Professor John Hutchinson, found that hippos, typically known for their slow movements, can briefly become airborne during high-speed chases, especially when confronting rivals. This discovery places hippos among the most agile of large mammals, bridging the gap between elephants and rhinos in terms of athletic ability.

The study, published in PeerJ, was based on video footage captured at Flamingo Land in North Yorkshire, where hippos were filmed during their movements between their stable and the watering hole. The analysis showed that hippos, which can weigh over 2,000kg, typically trot, but can become airborne during bursts of speed.

Unlike elephants, which never fully leave the ground, or rhinos that can gallop, hippos tend to stick to a trotting gait, involving the synchronous movement of diagonally opposite legs. This study not only sheds light on hippo locomotion but also contributes to understanding the evolution of movement in large land animals, including dinosaurs.

The research also raises intriguing questions about pygmy hippos and baby hippos, suggesting more studies could be underway to explore their movement abilities further.