Many animals are natural swimmers, while others must be taught, and some can’t even float to save their life, much less paddle.Animals inhabit a wide range of ecosystems, some arid, like the desert; some wet, like swamps, and everything in between. Mountains, grasslands and rainforests are home to thousands of species that may or may not have occasion to swim. And yet there’s evidence that animals not necessarily designed to swim can, while others that seem like they could cannot.
Can you guess which animals have what it takes to navigate the water (not just float) and could swim in a Waterscapes pool? A few of these might be debatable, but the sources we consulted point to a fairly solid yes or no for most. Good luck!
Animal Can Swim Can’t Swim
Camel
Kangaroo
Pig
Bat
Giraffe
Chimpanzee
Dog
Orangutan
Gorilla
Elephant
Rhino
Portuguese man-of-war
Cat
Sloth
Cow
Aardvark
Armadillo
Hippo
Snake
Ostrich
Porcupine
Note: Just because an animal “can” swim, don’t assume they want to or are very good at it. Many animals do not have a natural affinity for water and would be exhausted in a short period of time. That said, take safety precautions to ensure your pet doesn’t take an accidental plunge, and know what to do in case of an emergency.
Sources: straightdope.com; theguardian.com; cracked.com; waza.org; indianrepublicmedia.org; pets-animals.blurtit.com; animalquestions.org.
ANSWERS
Can Swim: Camel, Kangaroo, Pig, Chimpanzee, Dog, Elephant, Rhino, Cat, Sloth, Cow, Aardvark, Armadillo, Snake, Ostrich, Porcupine
Can’t Swim: Gorilla, Orangutan, Hippo, Bat, Portuguese man-of-war, Giraffe
