Study shows that hippos can get airborne
(MENAFN) New research from scientists at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in London has unveiled a surprising capability of hippos: the ability to briefly become airborne during rapid movement on land, despite their hefty size of approximately 1.5 metric tons.
Published in the scientific journal PeerJ under the title “Footfall patterns and stride parameters of Common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) on land,” the study examines the locomotion of hippos based on extensive video analysis. According to the findings, hippos can maintain an aerial phase for up to 0.3 seconds when running at high speeds.
The study’s lead author, John Hutchinson, who is also a professor of evolutionary biomechanics at RVC, expressed astonishment at the discovery. "Our most notable findings reveal that hippos trot during locomotion, whether walking or running, and employ an aerial phase during rapid movement—a trait not observed in other large terrestrial animals like elephants, rhinos, or horses," Hutchinson explained.
The research was based on the analysis of video footage capturing 169 movement cycles from a total of 32 hippos. These recordings depicted hippos in various intense scenarios such as evading predators like lions and rhinos, displaying aggression towards each other, or reacting to human and vehicular presence. Remarkably, the study determined that approximately 15% of each stride during these rapid movements was spent airborne.
Hutchinson emphasized the challenges in studying hippos, noting their nocturnal habits, aquatic lifestyle, and notorious aggressiveness, which make them difficult subjects for observation and research. He described the findings as "pretty neat," highlighting the impressive agility displayed by hippos when moving swiftly on land.
The discovery adds a new dimension to our understanding of hippopotamus locomotion and underscores the remarkable adaptations of these iconic African mammals to their environment. Further research may delve deeper into the biomechanics of hippo movement and its evolutionary significance, offering insights into the unique capabilities of these animals that have fascinated scientists and wildlife enthusiasts alike.
MENAFN09072024000045015687ID1108422435
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.