Michael Shields blog XML

Because you were wondering

The Central Park Zoo has an Endless Pool for polar bears. I know what you are thinking: are polar bears the largest non-aquatic mammal that swims?

The answer appears to be no. According to the National Wildlife Federation, an adult bison can weigh 900 kg and is “a good swimmer”. An adult male polar bear would be large at 600 kg.

What about the hippopotamus? Adult hippos are much larger than bison, weighing up to 3,200 kg. Buoyant baby hippos are born underwater and nurse underwater, and so must swim well because they are so hungry hungry. However, adults become much denser, and they cannot swim. Adults move in gentle, sinking arcs, using their stubby limbs to push off from the bottom. This style is not permitted by FINA.

posted at: 2006-03-10 03:11 UTC | permanent link to this entry | comment