Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure

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Fast Facts:

Bush pigs are also called "tufted pigs" due to their long, white whiskers and ear tufts.
In its search for roots and tubers it digs up large tracts of land and is viewed as causing serious damage to crops.
They are fast runners and good swimmers.

Red River Bush Pig

Scientific Name	Potamochaerus porcus
Classification	Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Suidae
Status	Stable
Range	Africa south of the Sahara
Habitat	Dense forest and underbrush
Diet	Vegetable matter, insects, eggs, and dead animals
Size	Height: 24-30 inches Length: Up to 5 feet plus a 12 inch tail Weight: 120-260 pounds
Lifespan	20 years
Location
Print Fact Sheet	Bush Pig

Special Features

On the back of the bush pig there is a long whitish crest of hairs which can be erected when the animal is excited or alarmed.
The tusks are short but sharp.
Males have warts over their eyes and females do not.
Old males have two warts on the snout.
They have foot glands, neck glands and preorbital glands they use to mark their territory.

Social Structure & Behavior

Live in groups of up to 40. It is nocturnal and spends the daylight hours hidden in the dense forest in burrows.

Reproduction
Sexual maturity at 18-21 months. Gestation 120-127 days. The sow will make a grass nest to give birth. Litter size is 3-6. Bush pigs are monogamous and both parents care for the young. Weaned at 2-4 months.