Red river hog in exhibit

Red River Hog

Scientific Name
Potamochoerus porcus
Class
Mammalia
Order
Artiodactyla
Range
Central Africa
Habitat
Forests and grasslands
Estimated Wild Population
n/a
Red river hog in exhibit Endangered Status Graph - Least Concern Endangered Status Graph - Least Concern

More Information

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.

Did You Know?

Red river hogs are excellent swimmers and were partially named for their tendency to traverse rivers.

These opportunistic eaters use their short legs to chase after prey and their sturdy teeth to plow up roots.

Males use their strong tusks to mark territory by scraping tree trunks.

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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®.

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