Pygmy hippopotamus the pygmy hippopotamus, are considered dwarf hippopotamuses, rather than pygmies. They are likely descended from a full-sized species of European hippopotamus, and reached their small size through the evolutionary process of insular dwarfism which is common on islands; the ancestors of pygmy hippopotami were also small and thus there was never a dwarfing process. There were also several species of pygmy hippo on the island of Madagascar (see Malagasy hippopotamus). Pygmy hippos share the same general form as a hippopotamus. They have a graviportal skeleton, with four stubby legs and four toes on each foot, supporting a portly frame. The
Pygmy shrew tenrec Pygmy shrew tenrec The pygmy shrew tenrec ("Microgale parvula") is a species of placental mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. While it is not endangered, its population trend is slowing declining as it is threatened by habitat loss. This is of concern, though does not yet merit a higher protection level. This tenrec has a far-reaching habitat that stretches from the southern part of the island of Madagascar to the northern peninsula, making it one of the only rodent-like