Pistachio pig [1] , or river pig [1] ( lat. Potamochoerus porcus ) is a species from the pig family ( Suidae ).
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| Potamochoerus porcus L. , 1758 |
Security status IUCN 3.1 Least Concern : 41771 |
Content
- 1 Appearance
- 2 Distribution
- 3 Behavior
- 4 Power
- 5 Reproduction
- 6 Pigeon pigs and humans
- 7 Systematics
- 8 Notes
- 9 Literature
Appearance
Pistachio pigs are considered the most colorful pigs. The main color of their coat is reddish-brown, and a white strip stretches along the back. The muzzle is colored black, there are white circles around the eyes. Long whiskers are characteristic, as well as black and white hair on the ears that gave this name a name. Both sexes have fangs growing from the upper and lower jaw. The physique is compact and round, limbs are short and strong. A relatively long tail , with the exception of the tassel at the end, is hairless. These animals reach a length of 100 to 150 cm, a height at the shoulders of 55 to 80 cm and a weight of 45 to 120 kg.
Distribution
Pistachio pigs live in West and Central Africa ; their range extends from Senegal to the Democratic Republic of the Congo . They are found both in forests and in savannahs and marshes, avoiding only too arid landscapes.
Behavior
Pistachio pigs are active at night, and they spend the day in burrows, usually hidden in dense vegetation. This species lives in family groups of 2 to 15 individuals, headed by a mature male. Pistachio pigs own their own sites, which they mark with special secrets or leaving fangs scratches on tree trunks. In case of danger, they quickly flee. Sometimes rosaceous pigs actively defend themselves by attacking their enemies (usually feline or hyenas ).
Nutrition
Pistachio pigs are omnivorous , feeding on roots , tubers and fruits, as well as insects , small invertebrates and carrion .
Reproduction
After a 130-day pregnancy, the female gives birth to one to six (on average four) cubs. They have light stripes on the wool and after a short time after birth, they are able to follow their mother everywhere. The males and females of the same group together take care of the offspring, which at the age of two to four months wean from the milk, and at the age of two to three years they reach puberty.
Pigeon-pigs and humans
Due to the displacement by humans of the natural enemies of racemose pigs, such as leopards , this species has multiplied significantly. In some regions, rosemary pigs are considered as pests, as they invade the plantations and partly destroy them. In general, the species does not belong to rare or endangered animals. In the villages of East Africa, these animals are occasionally kept in semi-free conditions as pets.
Systematics
Brush and bush pigs were previously considered one species. Today they are distinguished due to the fact that shrub pigs are less colored, and also because of different ranges (shrub pigs live in eastern and southern parts of Africa). Both species form the genus of carpaceae pigs ( Potamochoerus ).
Notes
- ↑ 1 2 Sokolov V.E. The Bilingual Dictionary of Animal Names. Mammals Latin, Russian, English, German, French. / edited by Acad. V. E. Sokolova. - M .: Rus. lang., 1984. - S. 124. - 10,000 copies.
Literature
- Ronald M. Nowak Walker's Mammals of the World. - Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1999. ISBN 0-8018-5789-9
- Madagascar / Sokolov V.E. - M .: Progress, 1990.P. 191. ISBN 5-01-002049-1