Researchers from the UK's Royal Veterinary College (RVC) filled this sizeable gap in knowledge by studying 169 strides from 32 hippopotamuses (Hippopotamus amphibius). They found that not only did hippos almost exclusively trot, regardless of pace, when they put the foot on the accelerator they also took to the air. The fastest hippos even became airborne for around 15% of that stride, or 0.3 seconds. While it's not unusual for ungulates (mammals with hoofed feet), such as horses, it's unlike other animals that compare in size; an adult male weighs an average of 3,260 lb (1,500 kg). Pretty impressive stuff for an animal shaped like a barrel atop short, stubby legs ?" and perhaps some inspiration, next time you're out on a jog, dragging your feet along the pavement ...