Wendy the pygmy hippo
About Me
Born on: 20th April 1995
I live: Semi Aquatic Mammal House at Marwell Wildlife
My favourite food: Bananas
Hobbies: Swimming in my pool
In the wild
Scientific name: Hexaprotodon liberiensis
Status: Classified as Endangered
Distribution: Western Africa
Type: Mammal
Diet: Herbivore
The pygmy hippo shares the barrel-shaped body form of the closely related common hippopotamus, but is considerably smaller.
Pygmy hippos spend the day in water. Its stocky legs, each with 4 spreading toes, act as paddles, giving adequate force in still waters. Their eyes, ears and nostrils are all positioned well up on the head so the hippo can see, hear and breathe in comfort when its whole body is submerged. The thick, hairless hide is coated with a sticky mucus, secreted from special glands. The fluid acts as a skin lubricant and sun screen.
They emerge from the water at night to feed on fruits, leaves, roots and grasses, which it bites with its thick lips rather than its teeth
Unlike common hippos, the pygmy hippo lives a solitary life, unless they are mating or with a calf.
The main threat to the species is deforestation and poaching as bush meat.
All for £25.00
"Go Wild" adoptions are for 0-16 year olds, and include all this:
- A special Adoption Certificate
- A car sticker
- A photo of me... lucky you!
- Complimentary child admission ticket
- Animal fact sheet, so you'll know all about us
- A nice Presentation folder to keep it all in
- Access to the online Adopters Zone
- Invite to exclusive Adopters weekend
Are you a grown up? See our General Adoption Scheme.