Pygmy hippopotamus
Hexaprotodon liberiensis
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
Conservation work
The pygmy hippo is an EDGE species. Find out about the EDGE conservation programme for the pygmy hippo here
