There are two types of hippopotamuses. First, you have the common one that we tend to think of when we hear the name. The one that is the top killer of humans in Africa and listed as vulnerable. There are about 150,000 in the wild. Then, you have the pygmy hippo, which is listed as endangered and doesn’t kill people. There are about 3,000 in the wild. So, what are the similarities and differences?
- Common hippos are large and fat with heads that are bigger compared to their bodies. Pygmy hippos are small with heads smaller compared to their bodies.
- Common hippos can run 29 mph while pygmies run 18-19 mph.
- Both are herbivores.
- Common has a bite force of 2000 pounds per square inch while pygmies have 1800 pounds per square inch. Not bad for a much smaller animal.
- Common hippos have thick, fatty skin for protection while pygmy hippos have thin skin to keep cool.
- Pygmy hippos are antisocial and avoid attacking while common hippos live in groups and are violently territorial.
- Pygmy hippos can reproduce easily in captivity while common hippos have trouble.
- Common hippos have no real predators aside from humans while pygmy hippos are hunted by leopards and crocodiles.
- Pygmy hippos have shorter legs to help them move through rainforests. Common hippos live in shallow rivers in the plains.
- Both species produce a sweat that acts as sunscreen and is antibacterial.
- Common hippos are polygamous while pygmy hippos are monogamous.
- Both have muscles that close their ears and nostrils when they dive.
- Pygmy hippos have a four-chambered stomach while common hippos have three chambers.
- Common hippos evolved from pygmy hippos.
- Both can hold their breath for 5 minutes.
Now for the pictures and videos:
Common Hippo
Common Hippo
Pygmy Hippo
Pygmy Hippo
Legends of Windemere 
Those pigmy babies are so darn cute. Great info on hippos, Charles. That video of the hippo going after the lions was amazing.
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Thanks. It took a while to find a hippo attack video that wasn’t gruesome.
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They are particularly grumpy it seems
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I’m a little surprised that crocodiles wouldn’t prey on hippos, at least when they’re young.
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I think they do go for the young if they see an opportunity, but it’s rare. Crocodiles know how dangerous hippos are, so they don’t mess them if they have easier prey.
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I wouldn’t go near enough to put the water melon in! For creatures that don’t look like Olympic swimmers, they certainly paddle fast.
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They run even faster. I’d only do the melon thing if I was out of reach and trained.
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Both are amazing creatures.
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One adorable and the other terrifying.
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I love those baby pigmy hippos. So cute.
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They look very huggable.
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We’ve been following the growth of baby Fritz at the Cincinnati Zoo – he’s a regular hippo with a father, Tucker, who is gynormous. He was a cute baby but is growing like a weed. It’s fun to watch them feed him greens and him playing with his sister Fiona.
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Hippo babies are cute. Sometimes it’s hard to imagine they’ll quickly turn enormous.
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Wonderful, Charles. Love that baby pygmy hippo.
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Thanks.
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You’re welcome.
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