Footfall patterns and stride parameters of Common hippopotamus on land

The study focuses on the footfall patterns and stride parameters of Common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) on land. The research aims to understand how giant body size influences locomotor patterns and abilities in hippos, given their semi-aquatic habits and unique morphology. By analyzing video data from online sources and zoo hippos, the study found that hippos primarily use trotting footfall patterns at various speeds, with brief aerial phases observed at faster speeds. The data suggests that hippos exhibit greater athletic capacity compared to elephants but possibly not greater than rhinoceroses. The findings provide essential baseline information for assessing hippo locomotion, relevant for veterinary assessments and understanding the evolutionary biomechanics of hippos. The study highlights the importance of studying locomotion in hippos, considering their large size and time spent on land despite their semi-aquatic lifestyle. The research contributes to filling the gaps in knowledge about hippo locomotion and provides insights into their unique movement patterns on land.