Both the Nile river hippo and pygmy hippos are most closely related to whales, and not pigs, as scientists previously thought. In fact, the scientific name Choeropsis means “hog-like”.

Pygmy hippos are primarily shy and nocturnal forest-dwellers and were never seen by people outside of West Africa until 1840. Even today, much of what we know about pygmy hippos comes from captive populations.

​Pygmy hippos are primarily shy and nocturnal forest-dwellers and were not known outside of West Africa until 1840.  Even today, much of what we know about pygmy hippos comes from captive populations.