CAN HIPPOPOTAMUS FLY NOW?

CAN HIPPOPOTAMUS FLY NOW?

KAKALI DAS

Have you ever wondered how things manage to fly? From delicate paper planes to towering airships, the secret lies in being lighter than air, much like the helium-filled balloons that float away at a kid’s party.

Then there are the heavier objects like airplanes and rockets, which defy gravity through a combination of aerodynamics and powerful thrust. These machines flaunt their wings and high-energy propulsion systems, effortlessly soaring through the skies, while the rest of us remain stuck in traffic.

The golden rule for flying is to either be as light as a feather or equipped with advanced technology that gives you wings. But brace yourself, as recent research introduces an unexpected new contender in the realm of flight.

Hippopotamuses—yes, those enormous riverine giants! Forget the usual flyers like snakes, rabbits, or hamsters. It turns out that even these hefty, seemingly landlocked creatures can take to the skies. When you picture a hippopotamus, the first thing that comes to mind is a colossal beast weighing as much as a compact car.

How could such a colossal creature ever hope to defy gravity? It sounds like the stuff of fantasy, but British scientists are stepping up to support this seemingly absurd idea. What kind of imagination—or dare we say, sheer audacity—would be required to make a hippopotamus take flight? Buckle up, because we’re about to dive into this intriguing exploration!

Scientists at the Royal Veterinary College in Hertfordshire near London has apparently uncovered an astonishing revelation: these plant-loving behemoths actually lift all four feet off the ground, albeit momentarily, when they hit their top speed. After countless hours of analysing footage, the researchers experienced their own eureka moment.

If this revelation hadn’t come from a reputable scientist, you might think they’d lost their marbles. The footage revealed that hippos actually manage to get airborne about 15% of the time, but only when they’re running full throttle—or should we say, flying. This remarkable feat typically occurs during high-stakes chases, whether they’re evading danger or asserting dominance over a rival.

The researchers also observed a fascinating quirk in hippo movement. Unlike other large mammals, these hefty creatures maintain a trot at any speed. Imagine a two-ton animal, moving with its diagonally opposite legs in perfect harmony—it’s like watching a grand, gravity-defying dance.

This revelation positions hippos somewhere between elephants and rhinos on the athletic spectrum. They’ve found their own niche: when it’s time to hustle, they unleash their inner sports stars, propelling their massive bodies with unexpected agility.

Naturally, studying these nocturnal and aquatic giants isn’t a walk in the park. Scientists face numerous challenges, from the elusive nature of hippos to their less-than-friendly dispositions. Active mainly at night and preferring to lounge in water, these creatures are both difficult to observe and somewhat hazardous to approach.

“I’ve struggled to get any work done on hippos before because they’re so hard to access. They are incredibly dangerous, they tend to be most active at night, and they spend a lot of their time in the water,” John Hutchinson, a professor of evolutionary biomechanics told the Guardian.

To study hippos, researchers analysed YouTube videos of their movements, examining each frame to determine if their feet ever left the ground. Professor Hutchinson also had one of his students record videos of hippos running between their stable and watering hole, which were then used for further analysis.

The review of these videos revealed that while hippos generally move at a trot, they can become airborne when in a hurry.

Professor Hutchinson believes that the findings of his research are crucial for understanding how large animals, including dinosaurs, moved on land.

Despite its simplicity, the research had its challenges. Professor Hutchinson described the study as “mind-numbing” and “really boring, agonizing,” as it involved painstakingly examining a large number of videos frame by frame.

So, next time you’re watching a nature documentary and see a hippo galloping across the screen, remember—they might not be just running; they might actually be flying. Who would have thought these heavyweight champions could possess a hint of grace? It’s a reminder that the animal kingdom is full of surprises, and who knows, hippos might just be the next unexpected sensation in aviation.

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