How do elephants, rhinoceroses, and hippopotamuses support their heavy bodies while walking?

Elephants, rhinoceroses, and hippopotamuses support their massive bodies through a specialized mode of locomotion known as graviportal.1

In this adaptation, these animals do not rely on digit reduction to support their weight. Instead, they deploy their digits in a circle around the axis of each limb, effectively functioning like the pedestal of a column to provide maximum structural support.1

Additionally, these animals have specific anatomical features that assist in bearing their great weight:
* Rhinoceroses: Their feet contain cushions of elastic connective tissue that are well-suited for supporting their body mass.2
* Elephants: Their feet feature a thick, fatty, fibrous wedge of tissue located beneath a partially elevated heel, which is protected by thick skin.3

By utilizing this column-like limb arrangement and specialized foot structures, these large mammals are able to maintain their posture and move despite their significant size.123