Native to the rivers, lakes and marshes of Western and Central Africa, the red river hog (or Potamochoerus porcus) is a small member of the pig family. It has striking red fur across its body, with a black face, legs, tail and ears. The ears are adorned with long black and white tufts. Down their backs, red river hogs have a wispy, white line of hair. Their facial features and ears are surrounded by coarse white fur. They are sexually dimorphic, with males being generally larger and heavier than females, and having a wider skull with bony protrusions and long whiskers along the face. Red river hogs measure between 100cm and 150cm in head-body length, stand 50cm to 80cm tall at the shoulder, and weigh 45kg to 115kg.
Latin Name
Potamochoerus porcus
Featured
false
Slug
red-river-hog
Site
Thumbnail
Image
Conservation Status
Animal Category
Region
Associated Product
Animal Facts
Red river hogs are known to follow foraging chimpanzees in order to pick up the fruit they drop.
The red river hog has scent glands around its eyes, feet and tusks that it uses to scent-mark.
The piglets of the red river hog will play dead if frightened, but will abandon this survival strategy for simply running away when they get older.
Like most pigs, red river hogs are omnivores and will eat meat if given the opportunity, mostly in the form of small animal carcasses.
Red river hogs are the smallest African member of the pig family.
Related Product