Hippos flying?! Sounds unreal!
You must have seen hippopotamuses (also called hippos) in zoos or on TV. These big animals love being in the water and might look slow. But they can actually run very fast - up to 30 km an hour! (Wow!) But flying? Do they have secret wings to fly? Not really.
New research from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in the United Kingdom shows that when these mammals run, all four feet can briefly be in the air, making them airborne.
So, we can say that hippos can fly, but not like birds or aeroplanes. Other animals can also get airborne with speed, but it's unusual for such big creatures like hippos.
How can hippos run so fast?
Hippos can run fast because of their strong leg muscles, even though they are very big. Their strong hooves help them grip different surfaces so they can move easily through mud and grass.
However, they can't run at their top speeds for long and can get tired after a while.
Researchers still don't know much about how hippos walk on land. They mostly stay in water, can be fierce, and are more active at night, which makes it tricky for scientists to study their movements.
How can this study help?
This study can help scientists, zoos, and forest officials learn more about how hippos' bodies work and how they move, including how their legs move when they run.
This study can help people better care for hippos in zoos and forests. If a hippo gets hurt or loses a leg, scientists can use what they've learned to make artificial legs that could help the hippo move.
