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Pygmy hippopotamus

Hexaprotodon liberiensis

Pygmy Hippo

Animal facts

Generally solitary, pygmy hippos usually spend daylight hours in or around the water keeping cool, but emerge to feed in the forest at night. Their hairless skin secretes a substance which may act as sunscreen and antibacterial agent.

Where they live

West Africa

Habitat

Lowland forests and swamps

What they eat

Fallen fruits, ferns, shrubs, grasses

IUCN status

Endangered

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