By Gurpreet Singh | October 15, 2025
The pygmy hippo is one of the rarest animals in the wild. Here are some amazing facts about this rare animal.
Image: Canva
Pygmy hippos are much smaller than common hippos, weighing only 180–275 kilograms on average.
Image: Canva
These hippos are mostly active at night, hiding quietly during daytime to avoid predators and humans.
Image: Canva
Unlike common hippos, pygmy hippos live in dense forests of West Africa, not open rivers.
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Pygmy hippos love water, swimming gracefully and spending much time submerged to stay cool and safe.
Image: Canva
They are mostly solitary animals, with interactions mainly between mothers and calves in their forest homes.
Image: Canva
Pygmy hippos communicate using grunts, whistles, and squeaks, making their forest presence subtly noticeable.
Image: Canva
Due to deforestation and hunting, pygmy hippos are endangered, with only small populations remaining in the wild.
Image: Canva
Despite their size, pygmy hippos can run fast on land and move swiftly through water too.
Image: Canva
Pygmy hippos have webbed toes that leave distinctive footprints, helping researchers track them in dense forests.
Image: Canva