Potamochoerus larvatus
bushpig

Potamochoerus larvatus, or bushpig, ranges from Somalia to eastern and southern former Zaire and southwards to Cape Province and Natal in South Africa. They were probably introduced onto Madagascar, Comoro and Mayotte Islands. There are currently three provisional subspecies; P. l. hassama, P. l. somaliensis, and P. l. koiropotamus. The principle systematic division within the subspecies is between the white-faced animals of eastern Africa and the remaining populations of both southern Africa and Madagascar. (Kingdon, 1997; Lloyd and Millar, 1983; Smithers, 1983; Thomas and Kolbe, 1942; Vercammen, Seydack, and Oliver, 1993)

The range of this species has changed, and there is insufficient data on its former distribution. Recently, expansion of the Sahel zone has led to a reduction in cover and the availability of open water in northeastern Africa, resulting in a contraction in the range of P. larvatus in that region. Nonetheless, P. larvatus seems to have maintained its presence over the majority of its former range, and recent, localized expansion in its range has been reported in some areas. (Kingdon, 1997; Lloyd and Millar, 1983; Smithers, 1983; Thomas and Kolbe, 1942; Vercammen, Seydack, and Oliver, 1993)

Bushpigs inhabit a wide range of habitats from sea-level to montane forest (up to 4,000 m on Mt. Kilimanjaro), 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. (Kingdon, 1997; Smithers, 1983; Thomas and Kolbe, 1942)

The coat of the Potamochoerus larvatus 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 though not nearly as long as in their close relative, red river hogs (Potamochoerus porcus). 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. These animals can weigh 54 to 115 kilograms. They are usually between 100 and 150 centimeters long. (Kingdon, 1997; Maberly, 1967; Nowak, 1991; Smithers, 1983)

On average, bushpigs live about 20 years in the wild. (Kingdon, 1997)

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. (Maberly, 1967; Simoons, 1953; Smithers, 1983; Sowls and Phelps, 1968)

Home Range

A sounder inhabits a mostly exclusive home range of up to 10 square kilometers. Population densities range from 0.3-10.1 animals per square kilometer. (Maberly, 1967; Simoons, 1953; Smithers, 1983; Sowls and Phelps, 1968)

Potamochoerus larvatus commonly communicate by grunting, with infrequent squeals and roars. They make a long, resonant growl as an alarm call. They also have exceptional hearing and sense of smell, but poor eyesight. (Kingdon, 1997)

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. (Maberly, 1967; Smithers, 1983)

This species is known to be preyed upon by humans, leopards, lions, hyaenas, and pythons. (Kingdon, 1997)

Potamochoerus larvatus may be important dispersers of seeds on the forest floor and are important prey animals for large carnivores. (Vercammen, Seydack, and Oliver, 1993)

In the Democratic Republic of Congo and Malawi bushpigs are reputed to cause more damage to agriculture than any other species. In addition, members of the genus Potamochoerus are regarded as vectors of livestock diseases and may be host to or vectors of tick-borne diseases, such as trichinosis, African swine fever and trypanosomes. Consequently, they are widely persecuted by farmers as well as targeted in wildlife control programmes. (Kingdon, 1997; Thomas and Kolbe, 1942)

Potamochoerus larvatus is hunted widely for subsistence purposes. The influence of Islam, however, has presumably afforded these animals a good deal of protection against hunting in many African countries and in some parts of Madagascar because of taboos on consumption of pork. (Simoons, 1953; Smithers, 1983)

Potamochoerus larvatus is not considered threatened over the majority of its known range at the present time. In fact, based on research done by The World Conservation Union (IUCN), there is evidence that the conversion of former forest to secondary scrub and agriculture has resulted in an increase in their numbers in some areas. It turns out that attempts to control or eradicate Potamochoerus larvatus in these areas have usually proved unsuccessful. (Vercammen, Seydack, and Oliver, 1993)

It is unknown whether P. larvatus was introduced to Madagascar and Comoro Islands or naturally migrated there. Regardless of how they arrived to these islands, they are known to pose a substantial and primary threat to native wildlife species on those islands. As an invasive they are outcompeting a number of the native species and changing species composition. (Vercammen, Seydack, and Oliver, 1993)