Hippos spend most of the day in rivers and lakes, yet they are not true swimmers; instead they push off the bottom and bounce or glide along underwater. On land these huge plant-eaters are surprisingly quick over short distances, and they are considered among the most dangerous animals in Africa. Find out how fast hippos can run and how fast hippos move through water in our guides to these river giants.
Quick answer: Hippos can run at up to about 30 km/h (19 mph) over short distances, faster than most people can sprint for long. They tire quickly, so they only run in short bursts, usually when threatened. Hippos can run surprisingly fast. On land, a hippopotamus can charge at up to about 30 km/h (around…
Quick answer: Hippos cannot truly swim. They are too dense to float, so they walk or bounce along the bottom of rivers and lakes at roughly 8 km/h (5 mph) at most, surfacing every few minutes to breathe. Hippos can’t really swim at all. Instead of floating and paddling, a hippo sinks and walks or…