Earth.com: Dwarf hippos in Madagascar preferred forests
UC research highlights importance of forests on African island
Science writers highlighted the University of Cincinnati's insights into an extinct hippo that once roamed the island of Madagascar in Africa.
UC College of Arts and Sciences Professor Brooke Crowley led a team of researchers who used isotopic analysis to discover that extinct dwarf hippos were feeding on sedges and leaves in forests rather than on grass on open savanna like their mainland cousins today.
The findings suggest grasslands in Madagascar are a relatively recent change facilitated by people rather than a natural habitat sustained in part by hippos. The study was published in the journal Plants, People, Planet.
Earth.com noted that Malagasy hippos are far smaller than common hippos found on the mainland. They likely resembled pygmy hippos that likewise live in forests in West Africa.
Common hippos travel overland each night to graze on grass. Studies have found their foraging helps support grasslands, preventing the succession of other types of plants.
UC's study suggests that Malagasy hippos had little influence over grasslands found on the island today.
Featured image at top: A newborn baby pygmy hippo named Petunia was born in December at the Metro Richmond Zoo. Like extinct dwarf hippos, pygmy hippos live in forests. Photo/Metro Richmond Zoo
An isotopic analysis of bones found that dwarf hippos in Madagascar lived in forests rather than grasslands. Photo/Karen Samonds
Related Stories
CCM grad Chandler Johnson named artistic director of Dayton Opera
June 19, 2026
The Dayton Performing Arts Alliance (DPAA) recently appointed CCM alumnus Chandler Johnson (BM Voice, 2016; MM Voice, 2018) as the seventh Artistic Director of the Dayton Opera. He will begin a three-year term on July 1, 2026.
Scientists want to monitor every river from space
June 18, 2026
Earth.com and other science outlets highlighted a University of Cincinnati professor's research examining new technology that will help protect drinking water in rivers from harmful algal blooms.
Yes, gas prices will be high this summer
June 17, 2026
WLWT turned to assistant professor-educator at the University of Cincinnati Clermont Seth Powless for a look into how supply chain volatility will keep prices up in the air.