Rainforest Animals - Red River Hog

Name:

Red River Hog

Scientific Name:

Potamochoerus porcus

Status:

Least Concern

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Superorder: Cetartiodactyla

Order: Artiodactyla

Family: Suidae

Genus: Potamochoerus

Species: P. porcus

General Information:

The red river hog is a wild pig of central-western Africa and Madagascar. It is similar to the bushpig, and the two distinct species were once classified together as a single species, P. porcus. It is a primarily nocturnal creature, but in areas where it its protected it is also active during the day. Red river hogs live in small groups of up to 20 animals, comprised of a boar, several adult sows, and their piglets. Sometimes, different groups coalesce into even larger groups, teaming up temporarily to as many as 60 individuals. In the wild, it can be predated upon by leopards, lions, spotted hyenas, pythons, and humans.

Physical Description:

The red river hog has a shaggy red coat with black and white markings on its head, including white rings around its eyes. Its ears are leaf-shaped and have white tassels hanging from them. On average, its body is about 3.3 - 5 ft long, with an additional tail length of 1.8 - 2.6 ft. Its stands close to 1.8 - 2.6 ft at the shoulder, and weighs in the vicinity of 99 - 264 lbs.

Diet:

The red river hog are omnivorous, feeding on fruits, insects, grasses, roots, and even carrion. They have also been known to cause damage to agriculture.

Habitat:

It occurs in the thickets, dense savannas, marshes, and rainforests of portions of central and western Africa. It can be found close to water, as it is a capable swimmer. The red river hog's distribution includes the rainforest belt of western Africa and the Congo Basin.

Reproduction:

Females give birth once a year to a litter of up to 6 young (although 1 - 4 is more common), which are kept in large grass nests. Gestation lasts around 120 - 127 days. Red river hogs reach sexual maturity at about 18 - 21 months of age.

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