Pygmy Hog
Scientific name |
Sus salvanius |
||||
Global distribution |
Southern Nepal and |
||||
Habitat |
Live in tall grasslands |
||||
Conservation status |
Critically endangered. Possibly only 100-150 individuals may remain |
||||
Physical characteristics |
Body size male |
500-710 mm. Shoulder height 250-300 mm. Weight 6.6 to 9.7 kg. |
|||
Colouring |
Dark gray to black or brown |
||||
Hair |
Stiff bristles and usually some finer fur. The pelage is often quite scant and the tail is only lightly covered. There may be a mane on the nape and side whiskers. |
||||
Warts |
Non warty face |
||||
Piglet colouring |
Stripped piglets |
||||
Tail |
30 mm |
||||
|
|||||
Side view |
Detail of face side view |
||||
|
Dorsal view |
||||
Anatomical points |
Peculiarities |
3 pairs of mammae. Non warty |
|||
Dental formulae |
( i 3/3, c 1/1, pm 4/4, m 3/3) x 2 – 44 The canines in males the inferior surface is narrower than the posterior surface. The female canines are small versions of the male. |
||||
Behaviour points |
Maturing age |
5-12 months male 6- months female |
|||
Mating ritual |
Males join group for mating and then leave. |
||||
Conflict |
Animals walk parallel to each other, edge closer until shoulders touch and then shoving begins. They may rear up, lean against each other and attempt to knock each other off balance. In neither yields, thrust with the mouth open and tusks bared |
||||
Seasonal breeding |
Breeding occurs throughout the year in the tropics, birth peaks shortly before or just after the rains. In the temperate regions the young are born in the spring. |
||||
Oestrus period |
18-24 days |
||||
Lactation |
3 pairs of teats. Lie down to suckle. |
||||
Weaning age |
8-12 weeks |
||||
Family groups |
Small groups of 6 females sow and litter. Males solitary. |
||||