Are pygmy hippos like viral sensation Moo Deng dangerous?

A new star has taken over many social media feeds: the baby Thai pygmy hippopotamus Deng Moo. The small slippery creature has an attitude, and in addition to the videos and photos uploaded by her caretakers at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in eastern Thailand, thousands of memes have also been created.

Her newly found fame has quickly led to many visitors descending on the zoo, some of whom have not been so kind to the little internet star. The zoo has had to increase security for Moo Deng. But if allowed, could Moo Deng and her pygmy hippo community do some damage? Well, no, but Moo Deng is already showing the signs of aggression that she could show when she reaches maturity.

Are they as dangerous as a common hippopotamus?

Unlike their much larger relatives, the common or Nile hippopotamus, the pygmy branch of the family tree is much less threatening to humans. According to the Franklin Park Zoo, they are about half the size of their larger relatives, spanning an average length typically between 4.9 and 5.7 feet and weighing around 350 and 600 pounds.

There is very little known about how they live in the wild, but they have been observed as solitary animals that tend to have a strong flight response to threats. However, they have been seen to pose more of a danger “when surprised or disturbed.” Some of the signs of that aggression are seen in Moo Deng’s behavior, such as chopping, rearing, and lunging.

Where can pygmy hippos be found in the wild?

West Africa is where these cute creatures can be found in the wild, and since they tend to live in forests and swamps, they are challenging to study. Pygmy hippos have been found in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Ivory Coast.