Pygmy Hippopotamus

The Pygmy Hippo is an extremely rare hippopotamus. You can learn more about this form of hippos on:http://www.arkive.org/pygmy-hippopotamus/choeropsis-liberiensis/image-G115186.html On this website they discuss the description of the animal, behavior, biology, and range of the animal.

Pygmy Hippos are a very rare species of all of the hippopotamus. It is very small compared to the normal side of a hippo; to add, they only weigh about 540-560lbs while a hippo ways about 1.5-1.6 tons. Another distinctive characteristic is that these hippos are more adapted to spend their life more on land rather than in the water. Not only do they have different adaptations then the hippo seen at zoos but they also have different characteristics. To add, these characteristics include narrower feet with fewer webbed toes and a less angular head. These hippos can be found in Liberia. Most of the pygmy hippos live alone, but in some cases many live alone close to one another.  Unlike the hippopotamus the pygmy are not territorial; therefore, there is less fighting when they come cross each other’s paths. These animals are pretty peaceful in comparison to the hippopotamus. They eat a variety of plants and fruits. Even though these animals are small for hippos they have very little predators besides leopards and humans. Hippos usually live about 45 years but when these hippos are in captivity they can live up to 55years. I really think this class of the hippopotamus is really interesting especially because of how rare they are. Pygmy hippos are defiantly bizarre but amazing animals.