Карликовые бегемоты (Hexaprotodon liberiensis) — это млекопитающие среднего размера, обитающие в тропических лесах и болотах Сьерра-Леоне, Либерии, Гвинеи и Кот-д’Ивуара. У них серо-бурая кожа, маленькие уши и крепкие ноги с четырьмя пальцами. Они обычно живут около рек и большую часть своего времени купаются или спят. Средний рост карликового бегемота составляет 75 до 100 см, длина тела — от 150 до 175 см, а вес — от 180 до 275 кг.

Latin Name
Hexaprotodon liberiensis
Slug
pygmy-hippopotamus
Site
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Conservation Status
Animal Category
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.