Class: MAMMALIA

Order: ARTIODACTYLA

Family: HIPPOPOTAMIDAE

Genus: CHOEROPSIS

Species: LIBERIENISIS

The Pygmy Hippopotamus is smaller and more timid than its Savannah relative. It is however, still quite dangerous to animals that may come too close.

The smaller of the two living hippopotanoids, both of which are commonly referred to simply as 'hippos'. This one has a smaller and more specialised range than its larger counterpart, in small areas of Central Africa. Pygmy Hippos are rare to observe in the wild, where their preferred habitat is forest. It is thought that the Pygmy Hippopotamus diverged from the Hippopotamus genus some 7 million years ago, with some populations in Central Africa becoming smaller as for lack of resources to keep at a large size. Smaller-sized, and adaptable hippos in this environment would perhaps be favoured by selection. A blackish hide allows the pygmy hippo to take in sunlight, and have good camouflage in the shaded forest.