Bushpig

Bushpig

The Bushpig (Potamochoerus larvatus) is a very hairy member of the pig family that lives in forestBushpiga thickets, riverine vegetation and reedbeds close to water in Africa. They are mainly nocturnal and are seldom seen during the day. The Southern Bush Pig subspecies, Potamochoerus larvatus koirpotamus ranges from Ethiopia to Angola and south eastern Africa.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Bushpigs range in size from 60 to 85cm (24 – 33 in.) at the shoulder and 46 to 82kg (101-180 lbs) in weight. They resemble the domestic pig and are identified by the blunt, muscular snout, small eyes, and pointed, tufted ears. Their color varies from reddish-brown to dark brown and becomes darker with age. Both sexes have a lighter colored mane which bristles when the animal becomes agitated. The upper parts of the face and ears are also lighter in color. Sharp tusks are not very long and are not conspicuous. Unlike the Warthog, the Bushpig runs with its tail down. Males are normally larger than females.

The Bushpig should not be confused with the Red River Hog, Potamochoerus porcus.

Bushpigs are quite social animals and are found in sounders of up to 12 members. A typical group will consist of a dominant male and a dominant female, with other females and juveniles accounting for the rest. Litters of 3-4 young are born in summer after a gestation period of ± 4 months. Bushpigs can be very aggressive, especially when they have young or have been wounded.

They are omnivorous and their diet could include roots, crops, carrion, as well as newborn lambs. They grunt softly while foraging and make a long, resonant growl as an alarm call.

STATUS

Still distributed over a relatively wide natural range, the Bushpig occurs from Somalia to eastern and southern former Zaire and southwards to Cape Province and Natal in South Africa.

WEAPONS USED

Bushpigs are not terribly large animals, but like all wild hogs, are extremely tough. While a large caliber rifle isn’t always needed, a well constructed bullet is. 6mm should be considered minimum and only with a partition style bullet. .270 Winchester and larger is recommended.

Archery hunters will want nothing less than 50 lb. minimum draw weight and a good, cut-on-contact broadhead should be used. Bushpigs are tough and a well placed shot well forward and low into the vitals is necessary.