Dr. Rebecca Lewison

What did you say? I corrected everybody, whether they wanted it or not. But they do look, honestly, to me, they look very different. But I can understand why people maybe think they're the same thing, only smaller. So for everyone listening, they're absolutely not. Pygmy hippos are a separate species. And actually, evolutionarily, they split. from common hippos like millions of years ago.

What did you say? I corrected everybody, whether they wanted it or not. But they do look, honestly, to me, they look very different. But I can understand why people maybe think they're the same thing, only smaller. So for everyone listening, they're absolutely not. Pygmy hippos are a separate species. And actually, evolutionarily, they split. from common hippos like millions of years ago.

So it's convergent evolution? Yeah. And a lot of the structures that they have are not that similar. But one of the things that I know people sometimes get fascinated about common hippos is that they are most closely related to whales and cetaceans. No. No.

So it's convergent evolution? Yeah. And a lot of the structures that they have are not that similar. But one of the things that I know people sometimes get fascinated about common hippos is that they are most closely related to whales and cetaceans. No. No.

So it's convergent evolution? Yeah. And a lot of the structures that they have are not that similar. But one of the things that I know people sometimes get fascinated about common hippos is that they are most closely related to whales and cetaceans. No. No.

Yes. And we know this from all lines of evidence. It used to just be morphology, morphological evidence, and they did looking at fossils and different parts of the animals. But as Science progressed and we started using genetic information. They've used all sorts of genetic tests to demonstrate that they are in fact sister taxa, cetaceans and hippos. No.

Yes. And we know this from all lines of evidence. It used to just be morphology, morphological evidence, and they did looking at fossils and different parts of the animals. But as Science progressed and we started using genetic information. They've used all sorts of genetic tests to demonstrate that they are in fact sister taxa, cetaceans and hippos. No.

Yes. And we know this from all lines of evidence. It used to just be morphology, morphological evidence, and they did looking at fossils and different parts of the animals. But as Science progressed and we started using genetic information. They've used all sorts of genetic tests to demonstrate that they are in fact sister taxa, cetaceans and hippos. No.

Why are their mouths so big? That's a good question, actually. So pygmy hippos don't have the gait like common hippos do, right? Common hippos have like 180. They can actually open their jaws that much.

Why are their mouths so big? That's a good question, actually. So pygmy hippos don't have the gait like common hippos do, right? Common hippos have like 180. They can actually open their jaws that much.

Why are their mouths so big? That's a good question, actually. So pygmy hippos don't have the gait like common hippos do, right? Common hippos have like 180. They can actually open their jaws that much.

And it is a good question why, because it's not like they're eating pumpkins and big things in the wild. I will say that male hippos, sometimes you'll see male hippos engaged in what looks like, we're going to say like this mortal combat. I don't think it usually results in mortality, but they do use their gape

And it is a good question why, because it's not like they're eating pumpkins and big things in the wild. I will say that male hippos, sometimes you'll see male hippos engaged in what looks like, we're going to say like this mortal combat. I don't think it usually results in mortality, but they do use their gape

And it is a good question why, because it's not like they're eating pumpkins and big things in the wild. I will say that male hippos, sometimes you'll see male hippos engaged in what looks like, we're going to say like this mortal combat. I don't think it usually results in mortality, but they do use their gape

both, I think, against other hippos, you know, if they're having a territorial fight, and other animals. They're pretty badass. How big are their teeth? Well, so they have different types of teeth. They have sort of molars, and then they have canines, which come up, which can be 9 or 10 inches. And then they also have incisors. The canines are actually most similar to elephant tusks.

both, I think, against other hippos, you know, if they're having a territorial fight, and other animals. They're pretty badass. How big are their teeth? Well, so they have different types of teeth. They have sort of molars, and then they have canines, which come up, which can be 9 or 10 inches. And then they also have incisors. The canines are actually most similar to elephant tusks.

both, I think, against other hippos, you know, if they're having a territorial fight, and other animals. They're pretty badass. How big are their teeth? Well, so they have different types of teeth. They have sort of molars, and then they have canines, which come up, which can be 9 or 10 inches. And then they also have incisors. The canines are actually most similar to elephant tusks.

What are they used for? Again, it's probably just some type of defense.

What are they used for? Again, it's probably just some type of defense.

What are they used for? Again, it's probably just some type of defense.