Overview
The giant forest hog is the largest living pig species, huge and heavily built, with a long body and a rump that is higher than its shoulders. The massive head has a long flat snout, and below the eyes are gigantic warty growths (resembling funguses), which are some three times larger than those of the warthog. The ears are small and pointed. The body is covered with long, coarse, black hair. The hairs of the head and back of the neck are 6-7 inches (15-18 cm) in length and stand nearly erect, which gives the animal an intimidating appearance. The tusks, which emerge from the mouth horizontally and curve backward in the plane of the face, are small, barely protruding from the head. Females are similar to males but considerably smaller, with a slimmer, hairier face and much smaller tusks.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Artiodactyla
- Family
- Suidae
- Genus
- Hylochoerus
Habitat
Dense equatorial forests at any elevation. Prefers living where there is water and marsh. Distribution- Lowland forests from eastern Liberia eastward to Togo. Then again, in lowland and gallery forests, from extreme eastcentral Nigeria, Cameroon and Gabon eastward through the southern Central African Republic, Congo (B) and Congo (K) to southwestern Sudan and southwestern Uganda. In mountain forests in west-central Ethiopia, Uganda, western Kenya and northern Tanzania. Probably fairly rare, though common in areas where they occur.
Diet
Eats any vegetable matter, including crops. Does very little rooting for its food.
Behavior
likes to wallow in water or mud. Lives in family groups of 4-12, sometimes in larger herds. Old males may be solitary. Seems to breed year-round, with young seen in all months. Litter size is 1-4, sometimes as many as eight. Older animals protect the young from predators. Mainly nocturnal, but may also be diurnal where unhunted. Shy and wary. Hearing is very good, sense of smell is good, eyesight is moderate. Rests during the day in nest-like places in dense thickets that are reached by tunnels through the bush.
Hunting
Not an easy animal to hunt nor is it found in many trophy rooms; in fact, it is seldom seen at all. Not discovered by science until 1904. Once a group has been located and its habits learned, it can be productive to stalk or sit early or late in the day. But most giant forest hogs are taken as targets of opportunity while hunting elephant, bongo or other forest game. Often times hunted on or around salt licks.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern by IUCN, though there are concerns about habitat fragmentation across this animal's range.