Is there any animal that can't swim? I am aware that many do not swim, but could they stay afloat if necessary

Question

I think, if some species tortoise were dropped in the water, that they would sink. But are there any other animals that would be entirely unable to save themselves if they were somehow caught in the water?

Answer 1

Most large primates such as gorillas and orangutans cannot swim, partly because their centers of gravity are in their necks and sternums. But with proper training they could learn to swim just like humans having almost the same body structure.



Surprisingly, hippos cannot swim! Their bodies are far too dense to even float, so they move around by pushing off from the riverbed or simply walking along the bottom in a slow-motion gallop, lightly touching the bottom with their toes like aquatic ballet dancers.

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Giraffes are among the very few mammals that cannot swim at all.However, they certainly can wade further into the water than most other animals before drowning.



PS: Chicken can swim:

http://orbitervet.blogspot.com/2007/04/can-chickens-swim.html

Answer 2

Practically all animals can swim, float or otherwise survive in the water. Many animals are not physiologically suited to it and tire easily or stress easily. For example, horses are great swimmers but are prone to spooking and stressing themselves out and may drown because of it. There are many animals who cannot swim instinctively such as monkeys and primates but they easily learn how to swim just like people. Giraffes swim quite well like other Artiodactyla species (whales, deer, camels) but due to their enormous necks and high center of gravity are not very good at long term swimming. Hippos float but because of their narrow legs compared to their bodies have a lot of difficulty at swimming fast, instead they prefer to sink and push off the bottom. There's never been a species of animal observed which cannot swim to some degree. Arthropods perhaps have the greatest difficulty just given their size but even earthworms can swim to some degree.

Answer 3

Can All Animals Swim

Answer 4

Elephants, believe it or not, are excellent swimmers. Many animals can swim, but as somebody already said, some species cannot for a moderate period of time. Humans can swim instinctively, but many panic and drown.

Answer 5

Lizards I guess. I know most species of lizards can't swim. There is one species...can't remember the name. I'm not sure if lizards float thought.



Bugs probably can't swim, but they're so small, they'll float.



It's definitely an animal that's fairly big, otherwise it would probably float. Maybe a rhino? Not sure if they swim.

Answer 6

Certain apes, chimps and baboons, have such a high muscle-to-fat ratio that they won't float. They can swim, but if they become exhausted will drown, since they have negative buoyancy.

Answer 7

That guy with the human answer has a good point :)



But I bet there are lots of animals who physicaly CANT swim. Probably like elephants?

Answer 8

Perhaps Giraffe,camels,kangaroos etc..

Answer 9

bats have much trouble swimming, but it is not impossible

Answer 10

almost all animals swim ,other wise many would have died out every time it was the rainy season in the jungle and there are flooded places everywhere .

Answer 11

chickens. they cant physically swim. think about it have you ever seen one.

they'll just drown

Answer 12

Many humans can't, consider the number of drownings. :-)

Answer 13

liz