Giant Forest Hog (Hylochoerus meinertzhageni)
Giant Forest Hog (Hylochoerus meinertzhageni)
Considered the largest wild member in the pig (Suidae) family, the Giant Forest Hog (Hylochoerus meinertzhageni) has a large hair-covered body that thins out with age. Thebody of the Giant Forest Hog surface is mainly black, but the hair closest to the skin is brown or orange. Their ears are wide and pointed and the male's tusks can reach 14 inches (36 cm) in length.
In Western and Central Africa, Giant Forest Hogs are mostly confined to the forests of Guinea and Congo. Usually, Giant Forest Hogs are nocturnal, but they are seen more often during daylight hours in cold periods. In regions protected against humans, they may also be adventurous and often travel up to 8 miles (12.9 km).
Giant Forest Hogs have a height between 2’6”-3’7” (76-110 cm), body length of 4’3”-6’11” (130-210 cm), and an overall weight in the range of 220-600 lb (100-275 kg). The lifespan of a Giant Forest Hog is typically 5 years in the wild and 15-20 years in captivity.
Considered the largest wild member in the pig (Suidae) family, the Giant Forest Hog (Hylochoerus meinertzhageni) has a large hair-covered body that thins out with age. Thebody of the Giant Forest Hog surface is mainly black, but the hair closest to the skin is brown or orange. Their ears are wide and pointed and the male's tusks can reach 14 inches (36 cm) in length.
In Western and Central Africa, Giant Forest Hogs are mostly confined to the forests of Guinea and Congo. Usually, Giant Forest Hogs are nocturnal, but they are seen more often during daylight hours in cold periods. In regions protected against humans, they may also be adventurous and often travel up to 8 miles (12.9 km).
Giant Forest Hogs have a height between 2’6”-3’7” (76-110 cm), body length of 4’3”-6’11” (130-210 cm), and an overall weight in the range of 220-600 lb (100-275 kg). The lifespan of a Giant Forest Hog is typically 5 years in the wild and 15-20 years in captivity.
