Hippopotamus lemerlei (SciiFii)

The Malagasy dwarf hippopotamus (Hippopotamus lemerlei) is a species of hippopotamus native to the island of Madagascar that originally lived during the Early Holocene and was once extinct, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and reintroduced to the species' former range to help boost biodiversity. The Malagasy dwarf hippopotamus is much smaller than the common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius), about the size of the mainland African pygmy hippopotamus (either Choeropsis liberiensis or Hexaprotodon liberiensis), being 6.5 feet (2 meters) long and 2.5 feet (0.7 meters) tall on average. The Malagasy dwarf hippopotamus is a dominant grazer in Madagascar. Malagasy hippos in general, however, are less grass-specialised than the mainland African hippopotamus. Unlike African pygmy hippopotamuses, the Malagasy dwarf hippopotamuses are primarily amphibious like common hippopotamuses, also having high-placed eyes that make it easier for the Malagasy dwarf hippopotamus to see while submerged. The behavior of the pygmy hippo differs from the common hippo in many ways. Much of its behavior is more similar to that of a tapir than a common hippopotamus, though this is an effect of convergent evolution. While the common hippopotamus is gregarious, Malagasy dwarf hippos live either alone or in small groups, typically a mated pair or a mother and calf. Malagasy dwarf hippos tend to ignore each other rather than fight when they meet. The conservation status of the Malagasy dwarf hippopotamus is Vulnerable due to some habitat loss and historic poaching, however, thanks to the conservationists, the Malagasy dwarf hippopotamus is a protected species.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii