Pigmy Hippopotamus

Scientific name	Hexaorotodon liberiensis
Global distribution	Discontinuous range in the lowland forest zone from Sierra Leone to Nigeria
Habitat	Lowland forest
Conservation status	Vulnerable and on appendix 2 CITES Only a few thousand individuals remain.
Physical characteristics	Body size male		Head and body length 1,500 – 1,750 mm Shoulder height 700 – 1,000 mm
	Weight		160-270 kg
	Colouring		Above is a slaty greenish black, the sides are more grey and the under parts are grayish white to yellowish green.
	Hair		The body is without hair, except for a few bristles on the lips and tail
	Piglet colouring		As parent
	Tail		Tail length 200 mm
Mother and baby side view
Side views of a year old, note all clearly demarcated toes.						Rear view
						Toes details
View on the dorsal surface – emerged					Detail of the head
Male rear					Base of the feet (hind)
Anatomical points	Peculiarities	The head is rounder than Hippopotamus Nostrils are carried on top of the snout. Almost circular Eyes are set on the side and do not protrude Skin contains special glands that secrete a pinkish substance known as “blood sweat” Skin contains a large amount of fat. The foot bones are separate and all toes support weight. The terminal digital bones have nail-like hooves. The feet are webbed (interdigital membranes) on all 4 toes Stomach is complex with three chambers, but it is none ruminating.
	Glands	Skin glands producing ‘blood sweat’
	Dental formulae	(I 2-3/1, c1/1, pm 4/4 m 3/3) x 2 = 38-40
Behaviour points	Maturing age			4-5 years
	Mating ritual
	Seasonal breeding			Not seasonal breeders
	Oestrus period			28 days lasting 2-3 days
	Gestation period			184-204 days
	Litter size and lactation			One
	Birth weight			3.4 – 6.4 kg
	Weaning age			6 to 8 months
	Family groups			Generally solitary with overlapping ranges.
	Peak activity			Most active in large afternoon and night May occupy hollows and caves
	Range			Females may range over 40-60 ha. Males may occupy 165 ha.
Diet	Water plants, grasses, tender shoots, leaves and fallen fruits.
Diseases/ disorders
Age	Over 40 years of age