Pygmy Hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis/Hexaprotodon liberiensis)

The Pygmy Hippopotamus is native to the dense forests and marshy swamps of West Africa. Unlike its larger relative, it is only half its height and weighs only a fraction. It measures 69 inches long and stands 39 inches tall at the shoulder. 

Moreover, the pygmy hippo lives in the water more than on land. While these animals weigh up to 606 pounds, they move with the grace and agility of a jungle ballerina.

This solitary creature spends the day hidden in cool rivers or wallows, venturing only at night to forage for food. It eats ferns, broad-leaved plants, grasses, fruits, small insects, and worms. 

Pygmy hippos are facing declining numbers due to habitat destruction from commercial plantations2, mining, and shifting agriculture. Intensified bushmeat hunting exacerbates their plight, warranting their endangered status. With fewer than 2,500 mature individuals, a 20% population decrease over two generations is projected.