This 1,800 kg animal moves so fast that it can go airborne, claims new study
It might sound impossible, but scientists have discovered that this animal can become airborne for short periods
Is there anything scarier than a 1,800-kilogram creature flying towards you? It might sound impossible, but scientists have discovered that hippopotamuses can become airborne for short periods. Researchers from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) found that hippos can stay in the air for up to 0.3 seconds when they move quickly. This is surprising because hippos are the second heaviest land animals after elephants. Unlike elephants, which walk slowly, hippos trot, allowing them to gain more momentum and lift off the ground.
The study aimed to understand how the size of large animals affects their movement on land. It also focused on the evolution of hippo biomechanics and how this knowledge can help veterinarians diagnose or monitor hippos with movement problems.
To discover this, scientists observed two hippos at Flamingo Land Resort in Yorkshire, England. They analysed video footage of the hippos moving around their paddock.
Little was previously known about how hippos move, partly because they spend a lot of time in water and are dangerous to humans. This new research provides valuable insights into their behaviour and movement.