pygmy hippopotamus

noun

: a small hippopotamus (Hexaprotodon liberiensis synonym Choeropsis 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

There are two species of hippos that live in Africa: The common hippo and the pygmy hippopotamus. —Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 19 June 2023

There's a new member of the Pittsburgh Zoo family – an adorable baby pygmy hippopotamus named Hadari. —Li Cohen, CBS News, 8 June 2023

Applying these methods to the large Eryops and the even larger Paracyclotosaurus, the study authors ultimately found that these two temnospondyls measured up at around 160 kilograms and 260 kilograms, respectively — a range that reflects that of the modern pygmy hippopotamus. —Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 26 Nov. 2022

Later that day, Baldwin got a call informing him that a 300-pound pygmy hippopotamus was taking a stroll along a roadside outside the zoo. —Robert Higgs, cleveland, 2 Feb. 2023

The Metro Richmond Zoo welcomed the birth of a pygmy hippopotamus in time for Christmas, according to a December 22 news release from the zoo. —Zoe Sottile, CNN, 25 Dec. 2022

The forest-dwelling pygmy hippopotamus is endangered. —Liam Gravvat, USA TODAY, 27 Sep. 2022

Yes, the San Francisco Zoo now has a pygmy hippopotamus. —Chase Difeliciantonio, San Francisco Chronicle, 15 Oct. 2022

The other, smaller species is the pygmy hippopotamus, which is found in West Africa. —Liam Gravvat, USA TODAY, 27 Sep. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined above