Red River Hog
Scientific Name
Class
Order
Range
Habitat
Estimated Wild Population
More Information
Physical Description
As Africa’s smallest and most colorful swine species, red river hogs have reddish bodies with a white stripe running down their back. Both sexes have tusks, but only males have warts in front of their eyes. Adults can reach up to five feet in length and weigh up to 285 pounds. These hogs feast on a diverse diet that ranges from grasses and fruit to small animals. They live in groups of up to 15 individuals led by a dominant male.
Interesting Fact 1
Red river hogs are excellent swimmers and were partially named for their tendency to traverse rivers.
Interesting Fact 2
These opportunistic eaters use their short legs to chase after prey and their sturdy teeth to plow up roots.
Interesting Fact 3
Males use their strong tusks to mark territory by scraping tree trunks.
Species Survival Plan®
We cooperate with other members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to manage the zoo population of this species through a Species Survival Plan®.
Commitment to Care
Lincoln Park Zoo prioritizes individual well-being over everything else. Guided by scientific research, staff and volunteers work to provide the best welfare outcomes for each individual in the zoo’s care.
Support Your Zoo
Animals Depend On People Too
When you ADOPT an animal, you support world-class animal care by helping to provide specially formulated diets, new habitat elements, and regular veterinary checkups.
Wish List
The Wish List is full of one-of-a-kind items for the zoo’s animals, including nutritious snacks and enrichment items to keep them active and healthy.
Take Action With Us
Wildlife face many daunting challenges—some global, like planet-wide climate change, and some that affect individuals, like an animal ingesting plastic—but now is not the time to despair. None of these problems are too big for us to come together and solve.
