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How fast are alligators and hippos?

Do you think you could outrun an alligator? What about a hippo? We speak to Professor John Hutchinson to find out more.

We all know that you should never smile at a crocodile, but rumour has it that alligators are great perambulators – at least that’s what a booklet about Florida’s wildlife claimed. Tim Harford speaks to John Hutchinson, Professor of evolutionary bio-mechanics to see whether he could outrun one of these reportedly rapid reptiles. Also – our editor thinks he could outrun a hippo, is he right? (…probably not).

Presenter: Tim Harford
Producer: Lizzy McNeill

(A large American alligator that lives in swamps in the southeastern states in the US. Credit: Getty images)

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9 minutes

Last on

Tue 11 Feb 2020 03:50GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sat 8 Feb 2020 18:50GMT
  • Mon 10 Feb 2020 13:50GMT
  • Tue 11 Feb 2020 02:50GMT
  • Tue 11 Feb 2020 03:50GMT

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