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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 鈥� at least that鈥檚 what a booklet about Florida鈥檚 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 鈥� our editor thinks he could outrun a hippo, is he right? (鈥robably 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
麻豆社 World Service West and Central Africa

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  • Sat 8 Feb 2020 18:50GMT
    麻豆社 World Service News Internet
  • Mon 10 Feb 2020 13:50GMT
    麻豆社 World Service except News Internet
  • Tue 11 Feb 2020 02:50GMT
    麻豆社 World Service except West and Central Africa
  • Tue 11 Feb 2020 03:50GMT
    麻豆社 World Service West and Central Africa

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