Bushpig
Potamochoerus larvatus
Bushpig is an omnivorous mammal of African savannas, forests, and river valleys.
| Scientific name | Potamochoerus larvatus |
|---|---|
| Swahili name | Ngiri |
| Conservation status | Least Concern |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Artiodactyla |
| Family | Suidae |
| Size | Males: 45-90 kg; Females: 35-70 kg |
How to identify
Medium to large body size, dark reddish-brown fur with stripes; long head with broad snout; prominent mane on the back; pointed, hairy ears; well-developed teeth, especially prominent canines.
Habitat
Open woodland savanna, bushland, valleys, and forest edges
Diet
Omnivorous, primarily feeding on roots, fruits, insects, small vertebrates, and carrion
When it is active
Mainly nocturnal, more active at dusk and dawn
Where it lives
East and southern Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe; common in Kenya’s Maasai Mara region
How to spot it
Observe at night or dusk near bush edges or water sources, remain quiet to avoid disturbance
Photography tips
Use telephoto lens to capture nocturnal activity, adjust settings for low light conditions, avoid flash
Threats
Habitat loss, hunting, and human-wildlife conflict
Similar species
Similar to the African warthog (Phacochoerus africanus), but bushpig is larger, darker in color with distinct stripes; warthog has a rounder head with prominent wart-like protuberances.
