Red river hog

Potamochoerus porcus

Irish Name: Borra rua abhlann
IUCN Status: Least Concern

Red river hogs are, as their name suggests, a member of the pig family. They are reddish-brown in colour with black legs and a tufted stripe of fur that runs along their spine. Their ears and tail end in long tufts of white or black hair. They also have tusks (canine teeth). Males have facial whiskers and conical bumps on their cheeks.

Red river hog

Potamochoerus porcus

Irish Name: Borra rua abhlann
IUCN Status: Least Concern

Red river hogs are, as their name suggests, a member of the pig family. They are reddish-brown in colour with black legs and a tufted stripe of fur that runs along their spine. Their ears and tail end in long tufts of white or black hair. They also have tusks (canine teeth). Males have facial whiskers and conical bumps on their cheeks.

General Information

Where do they live? (Natural habitat)

Red river hogs live in rainforests and woodlands near rivers or swamps in central and western Africa.

How long do they live?

On average, red river hogs live up to 15 years in the wild and 20 years in zoos.

What do they eat?

Red river hogs are omnivores (eat both plants and meat). They use their snouts to burrow and find food. They mostly eat roots and tubers, as well as a variety of fruits and seeds. They also eat insects and birds’ eggs.

Group name

A sounder

Zoo location

African Plains (between the okapi and African spurred tortoise)

Closest related species / sister species

The red river hog’s closest relative is the bushpig, another African wild pig that can be found in many countries in central and eastern sub-Saharan Africa.

Animal class

Mammalia

Animal order

Cetartiodactyla

Fun facts

Face protection

Male red river hogs have small cone-shaped growths under their eyes. Females do not have these, which means they likely play a role in protecting males against injuries from other males tusks during fights.

Digging

Red river hogs spend a lot of time using their large snouts to dig for food (roots, tubers, seeds and insects). This is why it is so hard to get anything to grow in their habitat at Dublin Zoo.

Communication

Red river hogs communicate almost continuously with grunts and squeals.

Defense

The boar (male) will fiercely protect the sows (females) in his group from other boars and predators (especially leopards). Males may fight by butting their heads and snouts, whipping their tails and making loud noises.

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Family Life

Red river hogs are social animals. They live in groups of approximately 6-10 individuals usually consisting of one boar (male), several sows (females) and their piglets. The sow constructs a nest of leaves and grass to give birth in and care for her young in. (remove the rest)

Baby name

Piglet

Gestation (pregnancy) period

About 4 months.

Number of young at birth

1-6 (usually a litter of 3-4)

Weight at birth

650-900g

Age at maturity

About 3 years

Adult male name

Boar

Adult female name

Sow

Size adult

Approximately 50-90cm in height and 45-130kg in weight.

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Conservation

Least Concern

The red river hog is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Current population estimate

Unknown, but believed to be decreasing.

Threats

The main threat facing red river hogs is hunting for their meat to provide food for locals and as bush meat for urban markets. Another threat to them is habitat loss.

What is Dublin Zoo doing?

Dublin Zoo participates in a European Breeding Programme for red river hogs.

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FAQs

  • What do red river hogs eat?

    Red river hogs are omnivores (eat both plants and meat). They use their snouts to burrow and find food. They mostly eat roots and tubers, as well as a variety of fruits and seeds. They also eat insects and birds’ eggs.

  • Where do red river hogs live?

    Red river hogs live in rainforests and woodlands near rivers or swamps in central and western Africa.

  • How long do red river hog live?

    On average, red river hogs live up to 15 years in the wild and 20 years in zoos.

  • What is a group of red river hogs called?

    A sounder.

  • Are red river hogs related to pigs?

    Yes. Red river hogs are part of the Suidae family, which includes domestic pigs, hogs, warthogs and boars.

  • Are red river hogs endangered?

    Red river hogs are classified as Least Concern by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, meaning that they are not currently endangered. However, they do face threats from hunting and habitat loss.

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