Why can hippopotamuses walk on the bottom instead of swimming underwater?

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A hippopotamus stands at the edge of a watering hole, with several other hippos partially submerged in the water, surrounded by green vegetation in Botswana, Africa. — hippopotamus The word *hippopotamus* is Greek for “river horse,” which reflects their behavior: they are often seen basking on the banks or sleeping in the waters of rivers, lakes, and swamps across Africa. They favor shallow areas where they can sleep half-submerged, though these places can become quite crowded—as many as 150 hippos may use one pool in the dry season.

Hippopotamuses are able to walk along the bottom of rivers and lakes because their bodies are sufficiently dense to remain submerged while moving underwater.12

Rather than swimming, hippos utilize a form of locomotion that is essentially identical to their terrestrial movement, allowing them to walk across the bottom of their aquatic habitats. While they are well-adapted to life in the water—possessing the ability to fold their ears and nostrils shut and hold their breath for up to five minutes—they do not rely on swimming to navigate these environments.312