Whether it’s the elongated neck of a giraffe gracefully sifting along the water's surface or the rarity of a housecat jumping in the bathtub for a playful swim, some animals are simply born to love the water.

Here are 11 Animals you Didn’t Know that can Swim!


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10. Cats
The Turkish Van inherited the nickname “the swimming cat” for this very reason. Other varieties include the Bengal, who as a housecat is known to join its human for a relaxing soak in the tub if the bathroom door is left open. The Main Coon is not only known for its keen climbing abilities but also the smart skillset of scooping up water. These robust house pets have been known to play in the toilet, pawing out scoops of water much to their owner’s delight. Lastly, the Abyssinian— one of the world’s oldest breeds of cat— will turn on the faucet for a cheeky drink when feeling quenched.

9. Elephants
Despite their large size and shattering weight, an elephant becomes buyout when swimming and splashing in the water, usually on long migrations with the rest of their herd. It should be noted that elephants happen to be excellent swimmers, paddling happily along while using their trunks as a snorkel.

8. Capybaras
Not only can the world’s largest rodent run as fast as a horse (a whopping 22 miles per hour), but their webbed feet allow them to effortlessly glide through the water— making the capybara an outstanding swimmer. What’s more, the capable critter can remain submerged for up to five minutes underwater in an effort to avoid its predators, such as the anaconda snake. Capybaras are able to sleep underwater as well, sticking their tiny noses just enough above water to earn them a comfortable night’s sleep.

7. Kangaroos
Kangaroos are good swimmers, however, since on land they are unable to use their legs independently. Underwater this isn’t the case, as these rambunctious roos can kick each leg on their own in order to splash and swim about. The big male eastern grey kangaroo, for example, is often sighted swimming in water as much as 20 feet deep. Using their powerful back legs to thrust subsurface, they move less in a jumping motion and in more of a delightful doggypaddle.

6. Moose
Groups of these majestic migrators count on swimming as an integral part of their day, snacking on waterlilies and bladderwort, and even jumping in to get a pesky predator off their tail. Expecting mothers will swim to the safety of an island in an attempt to avoid danger when giving birth to their young.

5. Giraffes
Scientists have long believed that giraffes, with their unbelievably tall necks and spindly legs, could not remain upright in water due to their odd weight distribution. When two university professors decided to put their curiosity to the test, they used computergenerated models which required no water wings or even a body of water, in order to gauge whether the aquatic abilities of the animal could withstand a swim.

4. Sloths
These deviant divers happen to be incredible swimmers, and their adaptation to the underwater world shows, as sloths can slow their heart rate to less than one third its usual pace; this function allows them to hold their breath for up to 40 minutes at a time.

3. Bats
As shocking as it is to learn bats can see just as well, if not better than humans, an additional fun fact is the species’ ability to swim. Unexpectedly adept and competent swimmers, bats will take a dip in cool waters every now and then when plunging toward the surface for a quick drink. A video taken in India in 2014 portrays a bat with the precocious breaststroke worthy of rivaling Michael Phelps.

2. Pigs
A pristine stretch of sand in the Bahamas features these paddling piglets for all to see, though it's not quite clear how they got there. Today, the pigs of Big Major Cay have become quite the tourist attraction, as onlookers delight in these happy animals who frolic freely in the warm water.

1. Birds
Birds who swim like fish include the American dipper, cormorants, puffins, and razorbills, as these groups can swim freely and often do so, entering the water in search of a tasty treat. Waterfowl including ducks and geese are always found waddling around a watering hole and are known to be outstanding divers and swimmers in short bursts, spending the bulk of their time wading atop the water’s sleek surface. A rarity among them all is the cape gannet, a special species resembling a seagull who circles endlessly in pursuit of prey