Bushpig (Potamochoerus larvatus)
 Description. The coat of the bushpig is shaggy and varies
from light reddish brown to gray-brown to almost black in color.
Bushpigs, however, are usually black with the head region usually a
different shade than the rest of the body. The long, erectile bristly
hairs along the spine form a mane that starts between the ears and
extends to the rear. The ears have moderate tassels at their tips. Body
color is variable between ages, individuals, sexes and populations. The
young are born with temporary brown and yellow stripes, which fade away
over several months. The tail is long and has a tuft of coarse hair at
the tip. The animals appear stout because the body is round and the
legs are relatively short. Males have a bony ridge and warts on the
snout. The tusks or canines are directed upward and outward. Upper
tusks are small and barely visible. Lower tusks are prominent and quite
sharp, growing up to 7 cm long.
Size. These animals can weigh 54 to
115 kilograms. They are usually between 100 and 150 centimeters long.
Habitat. Bushpigs inhabit a wide
range of habitats from sea-level to montane forest, to gallery forest,
flooded forest, swampland, woodland, and mixed scrub and cultivated
areas. Bushpigs can adapt to human influenced habitats as well because
they eat agricultural food crops.
Behavior.
Bushpigs
are sedentary animals and protect their territories vigorously. They
are predominantly nocturnal. This behavior is thought to be related to
the ambient temperature, as diurnal activity occurs more often in the
cooler months. Bushpigs shelter in dense vegetation, and nests may be
built during rains or periods of cold. In addition, wallowing is a
favorite activity. Interestingly, bushpigs are often found following
frugivorous monkeys, feeding on uneaten fruit that falls to the ground.
They are notorious for feeding on crops. Daily movements vary from
0.5-5 kilometers / 0.3-3 miles. Bushpigs are social animals and are
found in sounders (groups) of up to 12 members. A typical group
consists of a dominant male and a dominant female, with other females
and juveniles accounting for the rest.
Diet. Bushpigs feed on plant roots, rhizomes, bulbs, tubers,
fruits, and insect larvae which are rooted from the subsurface soil.
They also consume a variety of invertebrates, smaller vertebrates, and
carrion. Their stealth and taste for agricultural food crops enables
them to thrive on potatoes, maize, tomatoes, sugar cane, and other
vegetables
Predators. Leopards and caracals.
Reproduction. Most
births occur before the onset of the rainy season between September and
November. Most often the female bushpig retires to a sheltered nest or
hollow just before giving birth. Females have a gestation period of 120
to 127 days. Females have 1 to 4 young but can have up to 6. After
birth, the female nurses the young for 2 to 4 months. Parents usually
drive out young bushpigs at about 6 months of age. A young Bushpig
reaches sexual maturity at 18 to 21 months.
On
Wildcliff.
Identified from tracks but no confirmed sightings. If seen on Wildcliff
this would be towards the westernmost part of its known range.
|
