Das Zwergflusspferd (Hexaprotodon liberiensis) ist ein mittelgroßes Säugetier, das in den Regenwäldern und Sümpfen von Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea und der Elfenbeinküste heimisch ist. Es hat grau-braune Haut, kleine Ohren und kräftige Beine und Füße, die in vier Zehen enden. In der Regel leben die Tiere in der Nähe von Flüssen, in denen sie sich meist aufhalten, um sich auszuruhen oder zu schlafen. Durchschnittlich sind sie zwischen 75 und 100 Zentimeter groß, etwa 150 bis 175 Zentimeter lang und wiegen zwischen 180 und 275 Kilogramm.
Latin Name
Hexaprotodon liberiensis
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pygmy-hippopotamus
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Animal Facts
The pygmy hippopotamus is approximately 20% of the size of the common hippopotamus it also has less webbing between its toes to allow it to trek through rainforests.
Common hippopotami have their eyes on the top of their head, whereas pygmy hippopotami have their eyes on the side of their head.
The pygmy hippopotamus has muscular adaptations which allow it to close their nostrils and ears when submerging.
As with its larger relative, the pygmy hippopotamus secretes a red protective liquid from its skin, due to its colour it is sometimes referred to as blood sweat.
The pygmy hippopotamus is able to sleep underwater due to a special behavioural adaptation that causes it to automatically return to the surface when they need to breathe.
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