Baby Pygmy Hippopotamus Is Ridiculously Cute!
Sergio Dionisio/Getty Images
The pygmy hippopotamus is a large mammal native to the forests and swamps of western Africa (the specific name liberiensis means “of Liberia”, as this is where the vast majority live). The pygmy hippo is reclusive and nocturnal. It is one of only two extant species in the Hippopotamidae family, the other being its much larger cousin the common hippopotamus.
Sergio Dionisio/Getty Images
The pygmy hippopotamus displays many terrestrial adaptations, but like its larger cousin, it is semi-aquatic and relies on proximity to water to keep its skin moisturized and its body temperature cool. Behaviors such as mating and giving birth may occur in water or on land. The pygmy hippo is herbivorous, feeding on ferns, broad-leaved plants, grasses and fruits it finds in the forests.
Sergio Dionisio/Getty Images
A rare nocturnal forest creature, the pygmy hippopotamus is a difficult animal to study in the wild. Pygmy hippos were unknown outside of West Africa until the 19th century. Introduced to zoos in the early 20th century, they breed well in captivity and the vast majority of research is derived from zoo specimens. The survival of the species in captivity is more assured than in the wild: the World Conservation Union estimates that there are fewer than 3,000 pygmy hippos remaining in the wild. Pygmy hippos are primarily threatened by loss of habitat, as forests are logged and converted to farm land, and are also vulnerable to poaching, hunting, natural predators and war.
Sergio Dionisio/Getty Images
On photos: Photos: Monifa, a one month old baby Pygmy Hippopotamus at Taronga Zoo on November 7, 2008 in Sydney, Australia. Monifa is the first Pygmy Hippopotamus to be born at Taronga Zoo in the past twenty three years.
Sergio Dionisio/Getty Images
Sergio Dionisio/Getty Images
Sergio Dionisio/Getty Images
Sergio Dionisio/Getty Images
Sergio Dionisio/Getty Images
Sergio Dionisio/Getty Images
Sergio Dionisio/Getty Images
Sergio Dionisio/Getty Images
Sergio Dionisio/Getty Images
More Inspiring Stories
Rare Pink Dolphin Is Spotted Near Louisiana's Coast
2015 World's Ugliest Dog Contest
"For The Love Of Peanut Butter": Humorous Photo Series Of Dogs Eating Peanut Butter
Polar Bears in Sunset
Cat Fishing: Leopard Gets Covered In Mud Catching Its Fish Supper
"It Needs to Be Clean, Not Wet": Hilarious Dog Shampoo Ads
A Black Cat Interrupted A Football Match And Unsurprisingly Refused To Leave
Squirrel Snapper Seems To Take Shots Of Pigeon Models As Equipment Is Left In London Park
Someone Noticed That Cats Use Parking Bumpers As Pillows, And It’s Oddly Wholesome
10 Absolute Benefits Of Having A Cat
Pet Owner Photoshops Hery Dogs Into Classic Album Covers
Monty the Cat Without a Nasal Bone
Brave Woman Rescues Dog Who Fell Through The Ice
Meet Rain Frog: The World’s Grumpiest Frog
Cats Are Ninjas, And This Japanese Photographer Proves It
This Is What Happens When You Face Swap A Cat With Spirited Away’s No-Face
Valais Blacknose Sheep Always Look Like They’re Posing For A Metal Album Cover
Adorable Photos Of A Young Austrian Boy Enjoys A Special Friendship With Shy Marmots
Finally, The 2025 Irish Farmer Charity Calendar Is Here!
English School Sends Stuffed Animal Sam The Dog Into The Stratosphere
Cat Breeders Discover New Breed of Felines That Look Like Werewolves
Animal Orchestra
A Bear's First Photo Shoot: Adorable Cub Ayra Strikes Comical Poses As She Balances On Two Legs
Cute Stray Cats Of Tokyo
Python Meets A Crocodile See What Happened Next
Cats Fuku-Chan And Daikichi Find Fame Travelling Around The World In A Converted Pushchair
These Pics Are Composed Of As Many Pixels As There Are Animals Still Alive In These Species
A Thrill-Seeking Photographer Risked Life And Limb As He Swam Alongside A Ten-Foot-Long American Crocodile Near Belize
The Dog Shaming 2021 Wall Calendar Features Thirteen Photo Collages with Themes Like "Learned My Lesson", "That's Not Cool", "Please Come Home", and "Let's Play!"
