Question 1

True or false: Pygmy hippos weigh over 1,000 pounds as adults.

Accepted Answer

False. They weigh only 350-600 pounds, about one-tenth the size of a common hippo, which can exceed 4,000 pounds.

Question 2

True or false: Pygmy hippos are nocturnal and spend most of the day hidden in mud or water to stay cool.

Accepted Answer

True. They are shy, nocturnal animals that rest in swamps or burrows during the day to avoid heat and predators.

Question 3

True or false: Female pygmy hippos give birth in water, just like their larger common hippo cousins.

Accepted Answer

False. They give birth on land, in dense vegetation, unlike common hippos that often birth in shallow water.

Question 4

True or false: Pygmy hippos are native to the forests and swamps of West Africa, not rivers like common hippos.

Accepted Answer

True. They live in Liberia, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, preferring dense forests and swamps over open rivers.

Question 5

True or false: A pygmy hippo can hold its breath underwater for over 30 minutes.

Accepted Answer

False. They can only hold their breath for about 3-5 minutes, unlike common hippos which can last up to 5 minutes too.

Question 6

True or false: Pygmy hippos are actually more closely related to whales than to pigs.

Accepted Answer

True. Genetic studies show hippos are the closest living relatives to cetaceans (whales, dolphins), a surprising evolutionary link.

Question 7

True or false: Pygmy hippos secrete a pinkish oil called 'blood sweat' that acts as a sunscreen and antibiotic.

Accepted Answer

True. This unique secretion, often called 'blood sweat,' protects their skin from sun and infection, though it's neither blood nor sweat.

Question 8

True or false: There are only about 2,000 pygmy hippos left in the wild due to hunting and habitat loss.

Accepted Answer

False. Estimates are even lower—only 2,000-2,500 remain, making them endangered, but the statement is technically true in number; however, as a 'myth,' it's plausible but accurate.

Pygmy Hippo Trivia Questions