pygmy hippopotamus

noun

: a small hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis synonym Hexaprotodon liberiensis) of western Africa and especially Liberia that may reach a weight of nearly 600 pounds (270 kilograms)

Note: In addition to its smaller size, the pygmy hippopotamus differs from the common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) in being nocturnal and less aquatic and in having a rounder head with the eyes set to the sides, less webbing between the toes, and only one pair of lower incisor teeth.

Examples of pygmy hippopotamus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the sketch, Yang played the baby pygmy hippopotamus from Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand who has taken the internet by storm over the last few weeks. —Stephen Daw, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2024

The facility is also working to get the pygmy hippopotamus a patent and her own live stream. —Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 25 Sep. 2024

Moo Deng is a two-month-old pygmy hippopotamus who lives at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Si Racha, Thailand, with a bunch of other hippos. —Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 24 Sep. 2024

The youngster bonds with her cousin, Mina, a beautiful but frail asthmatic girl who collects matchboxes and rides to school on her pet pygmy hippopotamus. —The New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2024

This summer, Moo Deng — a pygmy hippopotamus living in Thailand — became a popular internet meme after images of her went viral online. —Andy Hoglund, EW.com, 29 Sep. 2024

Moo Deng, the viral pygmy hippopotamus as portrayed by an angsty Bowen Yang clad in a bulbous, purple animal suit, has had enough. —Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2024

There’s a new main girl in town: a baby pygmy hippopotamus named Moo Deng. —Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 24 Sep. 2024

The pygmy hippopotamus is an endangered species with a decreasing population due to poaching and habitat changes, according to the IUCN Red List. —Raven Brunner, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined above