Pygmy hippos
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. They originate from West Africa and live in lowland forests and swamps.
You can visit ZSL London Zoo's pygmy hippos - Thug and Nicky-noo - in their indoor and outdoor enclosures.
Saving the pygmy hippo in the wild
Pygmy hippos are classified as Endangered in the wild and it is estimated that there are 2,000-3,000 individuals remaining. ZSL runs conservation work in Sapo National Park in Liberia to help conserve this genetically unique creature.
Watch the first footage captured of the pygmy hippos in Liberia by ZSL
Visit the animals
Get close to our pair of pygmy hippos at ZSL London Zoo.
Buy tickets online and beat the queue!
Hippos on film
Adopt Thug
Adopt Thug, our gentle pygmy hippo whose favourite past times are sleeping, wallowing and swimming.
By adopting an animal at ZSL London Zoo you are helping support ZSL's conservation programme for pygmy hippos in the wild as well as other endangered animal conservation around the world.
Hippo 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
