News Life Elephant legs bend like ‘big human limb’ Mechanics suggest creatures more limber than thought By Lisa Grossman March 29, 2010 at 2:51 pm - More than 2 years ago Share this:Share Share via email (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Share on X (Opens in new window) X Print (Opens in new window) Print View a video of a running elephant that participated in the study. BORN TO WALK Elephant’s knees are bendier than scientists thought, making walking easy but running hard work. John R. Hutchinson Elephants cruise on four-wheel drive and bendy knees using a gait different from most quadrupeds, a new study shows.