The giant forest hog, Hylochoerus meinertzhageni, is the only member of its genus and, on average, the largest living species of pig. It was first described in 1904, and its specific name honours Richard Meinertzhagen, who shot the type specimen in Kenya. Adults measure 1.3 to 2.1 metres in head-and-body length and weigh from 100 to 275 kilograms, with females smaller than males. It occurs in west and central Africa, largely in the Guinean and Congolese forests, and more locally in highland areas as far east as Mount Kenya and the Ethiopian Highlands, at altitudes up to 3,800 metres. It is mainly a herbivore that also scavenges, usually nocturnal, and lives in herds of up to 20 animals made up of females and young with usually a single old male. Leopards and spotted hyenas prey on it.
Facts
Classification
Population Trend System (Realm) ThreatsBiological Resource Use 2 Relationship to People Relationship to PeopleAgricultural or Structural Pest 2 Relationship to People Living or Extinct Conservation Status Body Size Band Activity Pattern Activity Pattern Connections
Child Taxon Of
Suidae, Taxa Source GBIF: GBIF species match: Hylochoerus meinertzhageni
In Biome
Source Giant forest hog (Wikipedia)
Source Giant forest hog (Wikipedia)
Source Giant forest hog (Wikipedia)
In Ecosystem
Source Giant forest hog (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Giant forest hog (Wikipedia)DistributionQuote, Distribution
Giant forest hogs occur in west and central Africa, where they are largely restricted to the Guinean and Congolese forests.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Giant forest hog (Wikipedia)DistributionQuote, Distribution
They also occur more locally in humid highlands of the Rwenzori Mountains, on the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and as far east as Mount Kenya and the Ethiopian Highlands.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Giant forest hog (Wikipedia)DistributionQuote, Distribution
They also occur more locally in humid highlands of the Rwenzori Mountains, on the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and as far east as Mount Kenya and the Ethiopian Highlands.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Giant forest hog (Wikipedia)DistributionQuote, Distribution
They also occur more locally in humid highlands of the Rwenzori Mountains, on the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and as far east as Mount Kenya and the Ethiopian Highlands.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Giant forest hog (Wikipedia)DistributionQuote, Distribution
They also occur more locally in humid highlands of the Rwenzori Mountains, on the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and as far east as Mount Kenya and the Ethiopian Highlands.
Sources
1. Giant forest hog (Wikipedia)
Habits
The giant forest hog is mainly a herbivore, but also scavenges.
Habits, activity pattern
It is usually considered nocturnal, but in cold periods, it is more commonly seen during daylight hours, and it may be diurnal in regions where protected from humans.
Habits, activity pattern (2)
it may be diurnal in regions where protected from humans
Description
can weigh from 100 to 275 kg (220 to 606 lb)
In Biome: Savanna, Distribution
They are mainly found in forest-grassland mosaics, but can also be seen in wooded savanna and subalpine habitats at altitudes up to 3,800 m (12,500 ft).
In Biome: Grassland, Distribution
They are mainly found in forest-grassland mosaics, but can also be seen in wooded savanna and subalpine habitats at altitudes up to 3,800 m (12,500 ft).
In Biome: Tropical Rainforest, Distribution
Giant forest hogs occur in west and central Africa, where they are largely restricted to the Guinean and Congolese forests.
In Ecosystem: Congo Basin Rainforest, Distribution
Giant forest hogs occur in west and central Africa, where they are largely restricted to the Guinean and Congolese forests.
View the Source2. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Hylochoerus meinertzhageni (Animal Diversity Web account)
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyHabitat
Habitat Regions tropical tropical terrestrial terrestrial
Conservation Status
however populations are not declining
Conservation Status, threats
is threatened by habitat destruction, hunting pressure or other ecological pressure
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
the species is hunted in much of its range, not only for subsistence, but for commercial meat markets
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
The forest hog is a symptomless carrier of African Swine Fever (ASF), which is lethal to domestic pigs.
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative, relationship to people
responsible for significant crop damage
View the Source 3. iNaturalist: iNaturalist taxon record: Hylochoerus meinertzhageni
iNaturalistTaxon record, extinct flagQuote, Taxon record, extinct flag
"extinct": false
4. GBIF: GBIF IUCN Red List category record: Hylochoerus meinertzhageni
GBIFIUCN Red List category recordQuote, IUCN Red List category record
"category": "LEAST_CONCERN"
5. Human Ageing Genomic Resources, University of Liverpool: AnAge entry for Hylochoerus_meinertzhageni
Human Ageing Genomic Resources, University of LiverpoolLifespan, ageing, and relevant traitsQuote, Lifespan, ageing, and relevant traits
They have been reported to live up to 18 years
GBIF: GBIF species match: Hylochoerus meinertzhageni
GBIFChild Taxon Of: Suidae, Match record, family
"family": "Suidae"
In Group: Even-Toed Ungulates (Artiodactyla), Match record, order
"order": "Artiodactyla"
View the Source Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.