Red River Hog

Common Name

Red River Hog

Scientific Name

Potamochoerus porcus

Habitat

The Red River Hog lives in rainforests, wet, dense savannas, in forested valleys, and in the nearness of rivers, lakes and marshes.

Status

Population Management Plan, Least concern

Diet

Red River Hogs eat grass, berries, roots, insects, mollusca, little vertebrates and carrion. They are capable of causing damage to plantations.

Zoo Location

African Savannah
Watch a Red River Hog Video

Range

The distribution ranges from the Congo area, from Gambia to East-Congo, southwards to the Congo River and the Kasai

Physical Description

The Red River Hog has length of 1 to 1.5 meter. The thin tail is 30 to 45 centimetres long. The boar is somewhat larger than the sow. Also, the male has recognizable humps/lumps on both sides of the muzzle and rather small, sharp battle cogs.

Description

The Red River Hog has a striking red fur. There is a vague, white line that runs over the back. The animal has a blank face mask around the eyes, on the cheeks and on the jaws. The muzzle and the face are black. The hair on the jaw and the flanks is longer than on the rest of the fur.

Behaviour

The Red River Hog is omnivorous. It eats mainly roots and turnips, and completes its diet with fruit, grasses, herbs and animal food such as eggs, dead animal and plant remains, insects, and lizards. To find the turnips, roots and insects, it tosses its large muzzle in the ground. In this way, Red River Hogs can cause much damage to agricultural plants. The Red River Hog is mostly nocturnal. By day, they hide in dense bushes. After sunset, they roam around in troops, in search for food. The Red River Hog is a good swimmer but is unable to hold its breath for long.

Threats

The boar defends its harem aggressively against carnivores; the leopard is its most important enemy.