how fast can hippos run

Hippos can run at speeds of up to about 19 miles per hour (around 30 kilometers per hour) on land. Despite their large size and bulky appearance, they are surprisingly fast when they need to be, able to outrun a human over short distances. Hippos tend to use a galloping gait and can even become briefly airborne while running at full speed. However, they sustain this speed only for short bursts as they are not built for endurance running. In water, they can move at speeds up to around 12 miles per hour by running or walking along river or lake floors since they cannot swim conventionally due to their dense bodies.