The bushpig is a wild and highly aggressive species of porcine that hails from South Africa. They may also be present in Madagascar as well. These critters face the threat of large-scale habitat destruction at the hands of residential and commercial developments, farming, and ranching. They are also hunted for their meat. Farmers will also trap and kill them for raiding their crops. However, these creatures are abundant enough to be listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Their population trend is listed as stable.
First the Stats…
Scientific name: Potamochoerus larvatus
Weight: Up to 265 lbs.
Length: Up to 59 inches, plus up to an 18 inch tail
Height: Up to 39 inches, at the shoulders
Lifespan: Up to 20 years
Now on to the Facts!
1.) They were first described by the French zoologist Frédéric Cuvier in 1822.
2.) There are currently 6 subspecies recognized: P. larvatus larvatus, P. larvatus edwardsi, P. larvatus hassama, P. larvatus koiropotamus, P. larvatus nyasae, and P. larvatus somaliensis.
3.) These pigs dwell in forests with forest fringes, montane forests, among high tree groupings, thick bushvelds, gallery forests, flooded forests, swamplands, and/or cultivated areas.
4.) Bushpigs are very social… among their own kind only, and can be seen in sounders (groups) of up to 12 individuals.
5.) That being said, groups typically keep away from each other. All intruders near the sounder are ferociously attacked.
But wait, there’s more on the bushpig!
6.) A territory can range up to 3.86 miles.
7.) Females undergo up to a 10 month gestation (pregnancy) that yields up to 9 piglets.
Did you know…?
There was a report of a game scout who was forced to spend 3 days in a tree to avoid a stalking bushpig. Wounded individuals are also violently defensive and aggressive, especially of human interactions. They will chase, bite, and gore anything seen as an intruder or threat.
8.) Piglets are weaned in up to 4 months.
9.) Their calls consist of grunts, snorts, and loud squeals.
10.) These pigs are nocturnal (active at night).
But wait, there’s still more on the bushpig!
11.) Crops, roots, succulent plants, water sedges, rotten wood, insects, small reptiles, amphibians, eggs, nestlings, and carrion (dead animals) are all on the menu for these omnivores (eat plant and animal matter).
12.) These pigs are well known for their destructive grubbing, uprooting shrubs, and scattering them around, unearthing all root crops, then feeding on only a few, and trampling the rest.
Did you know…?
Eradicating or controlling their numbers on farms is very challenging. They quickly learn to stay away from hunters, and will flee even when the hunter is still over 650 feet away in thick bushveld (a subtropical woodland eco-region and savanna habitat in Southern Africa).
13.) There have also been several incidents of bushpigs breaking into domestic pig paddocks and killing and eating both the sows and the young piglets. They also raid chicken coups and kill the hens, as well as eat the eggs.
14.) These critters are a significant nuisance animal in agricultural regions, and are hunted rather extensively. However, their numbers don’t seem affected by the hunting parties.
15.) Their meat is considered a delicacy in South Africa, and prices have fluctuated drastically between 1995 – 2005 at an average of about $3.00 USD per 2.2 lbs. of meat.
Now a Short Bushpig Video!
Be sure to share & comment below! Also, check out the Critter Science YouTube channel. Videos added regularly!
Want to suggest a critter for me to write about? Let me know here.
Some source material acquired from: Wikipedia & IUCN
Leave a Reply