Overview
The Pygmy Hippopotamus, as the name suggests, is a small hippopotamid native to the forests and swamps of West Africa. It is a reclusive and nocturnal animal and is one of only two extant species in the family, Hippopotamidae, the other being its larger cousin, the common hippopotamus. Pygmy hippos share many characteristics with their larger relatives but have adapted to their forest habitats. They are semi-aquatic, spending time both on land and in water.
Unlike the common gregarious hippo, which lives in large groups, the pygmy hippo is a solitary or, at most, a pair living creature. Its body is well-suited for its habitat, with adaptations like a sleeker, more vertically aligned body that’s better for moving through dense vegetation and less webbing on its feet, which makes walking on the land easier.
Their skin is sensitive to dehydration, so they spend much time in water or mud. They also have a set of glands that secretes a clear liquid, often called “blood sweat,” although it is neither blood nor sweat. This liquid helps to keep the skin moist and protects it from the sun.
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Physical Description:
The pygmy hippo is quite distinctive in appearance. It has a barrel-shaped body with short legs and a broad, round head. Their skin is smooth and thin but quite tough and varies from green-black to brown, with a slightly lighter color on the underbody. Their eyes and nostrils are high on their head, allowing them to see and breathe while the rest of their body is submerged.
Compared to the larger common hippo, the pygmy hippo is proportionally longer and less rotund. The head is also smaller relative to body size, and the mouth is narrower. The pygmy hippo’s feet are less webbed, and the toes are more free, adaptations for more terrestrial living.
Lifespan: Wild: ~35 Years || Captivity: ~45 Years
Weight: Male: 400–600 lbs (180–275 kg) || Female: 350–570 lbs (160–260 kg)
Length: Male: 59–70 in (150–177 cm) || Female: 57–67 in (144–170 cm)
Height: Male: 30–39 in (75–100 cm) || Female: 29–38 in (73–96 cm)
Top Speed: 19 mph (30 km/h)
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Native Habitat:
Pygmy hippos naturally inhabit the lowland and montane forests in Sierra Leone, Guinea, Ivory Coast, and Liberia. These regions provide the ideal semi-aquatic environment necessary for the species’ survival. They are often found near rivers, streams, and swamps.
In this habitat, they use well-trodden paths to travel through the undergrowth. They often maintain these routes, marking their territory by vigorously waving their short tails while defecating to spread their feces.
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Diet & Feeding Habits:
The diet of a pygmy hippopotamus consists primarily of ferns, broad-leaved plants, grasses, and fruits they find on the forest floor. They are also known to consume other vegetation and small, creeping creatures in their environment.
Regarding feeding habits, pygmy hippos are crepuscular, feeding primarily during twilight at dawn and dusk. When feeding, they use their lips to pluck leaves and shoots or to pull grass into their mouth, rarely uprooting it with their canines like their larger cousins do.
Mating Behavior:
Mating Description:
Pygmy hippos are non-seasonal breeders, which means they can reproduce yearly. However, most births occur during the rainy season. Courtship and mating usually occur in the water. The male will approach the female and touch her snout, and if she is receptive, she will raise her rear end to allow him to inspect her.
Females usually give birth to a single offspring, although twins have been recorded. The gestation period lasts between six and seven months. Unlike many other large mammals, the pygmy hippo does not help its young to stand or walk. Instead, the calf finds its way to the teat, located on the underside of the mother.
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Social Structure Description:
Pygmy hippos are solitary animals, except for mothers and their young or during brief mating periods. They are not territorial like their larger cousins and are likely to share their range with others of their species.
Unlike the common hippopotamus, which forms large groups called pods, pygmy hippos are mostly solitary or found in small family groups. There isn’t a specific name for a group of pygmy hippos because they are generally solitary creatures.
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Population Trend:
The exact population size of the pygmy hippo in the wild is difficult to estimate due to their reclusive and nocturnal nature. However, their population is decreasing, with less than 3,000 individuals remaining in the wild.
Habitat destruction due to logging, farming, and human settlement is the primary cause of the population decline. Civil unrest in the countries they inhabit has also hampered conservation efforts and may have led to increased poaching.
Population Threats:
The biggest threat to the pygmy hippopotamus is habitat loss due to deforestation for timber, agriculture, and human settlement. The fragmentation of their forest habitat makes it difficult for these solitary animals to find mates, further leading to a decline in their population.
They are also threatened by hunting for bushmeat and due to civil unrest in their range countries. War and political instability have made conservation work difficult and have also increased bushmeat hunting in some areas.
Conservation Efforts:
Conservation efforts for the pygmy hippopotamus are focused primarily on habitat preservation and protection against hunting. This includes establishing and enforcing protected areas in countries where they are found.
There are also breeding programs in zoos worldwide to help boost the species’ population. Public awareness campaigns and educational initiatives are also being undertaken to reduce hunting and promote the preservation of their habitats.
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Fun Facts
- Pygmy Hippos are semi-aquatic and spend the hottest parts of the day wallowing in water.
- They can close their ears and nostrils to prevent water from entering while submerged.
- Pygmy Hippos are not as social as their larger counterparts and usually live alone or in small groups.
- Unlike common hippos, Pygmy Hippos do not live in large groups but are solitary or in small family units.
- A Pygmy Hippo’s skin secretes a pinkish fluid, often called “blood sweat,” which acts as a natural sunblock and protects against skin infections.
- The Pygmy Hippo has a lifespan of up to 55 years in captivity, significantly longer than in the wild.
- Females give birth to a single calf, usually in a secluded spot near the water. The calf can swim almost immediately.
- Despite their hefty size, Pygmy Hippos are pretty agile and can dash when necessary.
- They are an essential part of the ecosystem, acting as seed dispersers.
- The Pygmy Hippo’s name comes from the Greek words “hippos,” which means horse, and “pygmy,” meaning dwarf.
