Animal
Pygmy hippopotamus
A solitary inhabitant of wet West African forests, active mainly at night.
Content language
The pygmy hippopotamus is closely associated with forest and water. In West Africa it inhabits wet ground, swamps and riverbanks. It lives both on land and in water, usually hiding near water during the day. It is most active at night. It lives alone except during breeding and when a female is caring for her young.
Pygmy hippos eat plant material, including shoots, roots and rhizomes. After a pregnancy of around 200 days, usually one calf is born; twins are much rarer. The calf can follow its mother soon after birth. She nurses it until as late as eight months of age.
Kraków's new pygmy hippo pavilion opened on 28 March 2023. Built on the site of the previous enclosure, it contains an indoor pool. Outside are an enclosure, another pool and a winding stream. The interior has separate areas so that a male can be kept apart from a female with her calf, reflecting the animals' solitary habits and breeding needs.
For children
A pygmy hippo likes to be near water, but forest is its home too. Wild pygmy hippos live in West Africa, in swamps and wet areas beside rivers. They are active at night and usually hide away to rest during the day. Most live alone, except, for example, a mother looking after her calf.
Pygmy hippos eat plants, including shoots, roots and rhizomes. After about 200 days of pregnancy, usually one calf is born. It soon starts following its mother and may drink her milk until it is eight months old.
Kraków's pygmy hippo pavilion opened on 28 March 2023. It has an indoor pool and, outside, another pool, an enclosure and a winding stream. Separate indoor areas allow a mother and calf to stay apart from the male.
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