Hippos can glide through the air, claims a new study

The hippopotamus, shortened to hippo, is one of the largest living land mammals in the world. They are also known as river horses and live throughout sub-Saharan Africa. In 2006, the IUCN classified hippos as ‘vulnerable’ and has retained that status ever since. These hefty giant mammals, according to new research, spend 15% of their time in the air while running.Researchers at Royal Veterinary College in North Mymms, who went through videos of these creatures running, concluded that these herbivores can glide through air when they reach their top speed while running.
Even though evidence shows that hippos have walked on the Earth for more than 55 million years, there is still not much study on them. These creatures are extremely dangerous and are usually active at night, which makes it difficult for animal researchers to study these magnificent creatures.
The Study
The discovery was made when two hippos at Flamingo Land in North Yorkshire were filmed moving about in their paddock. Hippos can weigh up to 2 tonnes (1814 kilograms), but this new revelation has now placed them between elephants and rhinos in terms of their physical prowess. This revelation has given a push toward understanding locomotion in hippos.
Hippos can reach speeds of up to 30 km/h, to avoid predators, humans, and other hippos. The study was aimed at improving the base data about hippos' footfall and stride patterns changing with speed. For this research, the scientists analyzed online videos alongside the videos of two zoo hippos. They collected a sample of 169 strides from 32 hippos. The study showed that all four feet of the animal can leave the ground for 0.3 seconds at a time. It was also found that hippos were more athletic than elephants but less than rhinos.
The findings have prompted further questions on how locomotion in hippopotamuses has evolved over the years. The lack of study in this field has stopped humans from creating a conducive environment for the growth of hippos. This new study will help in improving the care given to these heft mammals in the future.