Researchers at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in North Mymms, Hertfordshire, have discovered that hippopotamuses can become airborne when moving at high speeds. The study, published in PeerJ, reveals that hippos, which can weigh more than 2,000 kilograms, get all four feet off the ground for up to 0.3 seconds while trotting.

The research was led by Professor John Hutchinson, who, along with former undergraduate Emily Pringle, collected video footage from Flamingo Land Resort in North Yorkshire. Additional footage was sourced online, enabling a comprehensive analysis of hippo movement. The findings highlight that hippos almost exclusively trot regardless of their speed, unlike other large land animals which have various gaits.

This study enhances the understanding of large animal locomotion and could aid in diagnosing and monitoring mobility issues in hippos. The discovery is notable for its implications on the evolutionary biomechanics of large land animals.