Hippopotamus, known for its massive size (weighing up to 2 tons), also possesses impressive sprinting capabilities in emergencies. This finding was recently published in a study in the journal PeerJ.
The hippopotamus tends to move quickly when prompted. (Source: Getty Images/CNN)
A research team from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in the UK analyzed 169 movement cycles of 32 hippopotamuses recorded on video.
Hippopotamuses tend to move quickly when prompted by factors such as chasing rival hippos, or when pursued by lions or rhinoceroses.
The researchers found that the fastest-moving hippos spent up to 15% of their time with all four feet off the ground during each stride. This enormous animal can lift all four legs off the ground while moving at high speeds on land.
The research team also discovered that hippos primarily run in a gallop—with two diagonal legs moving in the same direction simultaneously, followed by the other two diagonal legs—regardless of their speed, while other mammals like horses switch from trotting to galloping based on their pace.
The team also recorded a video showing a young pygmy hippo sprinting. This discovery opens up a new avenue of research into the movement capabilities of hippos at different ages.
According to John Hutchinson, a Professor of Evolutionary Biomechanics at RVC and the lead author of the study, understanding the movement abilities of hippos is crucial for the conservation and care of this species.
