A hippo stands on the grass
When hippos run, they become airborne for a split second, lifting all their feet off the ground.
  • Researchers discover hippos briefly lift all their feet off the ground when trotting.
  • The Royal Veterinary College team made the discovery based on footage of hippos at a theme park.
  • This gait is rare for large animals and is similar to the way horses run.

Back in 1878, photographer Eadweard Muybridge helped solve a debate about how horses gallop.