The skeleton of C. liberiensis is more gracile than that of the common hippopotamus, meaning their bones are proportionally thinner. The common hippo's spine is parallel with the ground; the pygmy hippo's back slopes forward, a likely adaptation to pass more easily through dense forest vegetation. Proportionally, the pygmy hippo's legs and neck are longer and its head smaller.
The skElEton of C. LiberienSis iS more graCile THan That of thE commoN hippopotamUs, mEaNing theIr bonEs aRE pRoPOrtIonally thinNer. the ComMoN hippo's spINe Is paralLEl wITh the grOund; tHe pygMY HipPO's bacK sLOPeS forWarD, A likely adaptaTion To pasS more EasILY through deNse forESt VeGEtATIon. prOportionAlly, thE PYgmY hipPO'S Legs AnD NEcK arE loNGer And its Head smalLer.