Mammals
Pygmy Hog
Porcula salvania
In the tall grass of Assam, a pygmy hog no taller than a house cat trots into a roofed nest of cut grass, the smallest and rarest wild pig on Earth.
Overview
The pygmy hog, Porcula salvania, is a Critically Endangered wild pig found in the tall grasslands of Assam in northeastern India. As the smallest wild pig, and one of the rarest, it is the focus of a captive-breeding and reintroduction programme.
A small pig with a roofed nest
The pygmy hog builds a covered nest of cut grass, a habit that protects its young in the damp grassland it calls home.
Status
Critically Endangered, with an increasing population.
Pygmy Hog: common questions
How big is the pygmy hog?
It is the smallest of the wild pigs, standing only about 25 cm at the shoulder.
Does the pygmy hog build a nest?
Yes, it builds a nest of cut grasses, with a roof, in which it shelters and gives birth.
Why is the pygmy hog critically endangered?
It lives in tall grassland that is cleared and burned for farming and grazing, and only a few hundred animals remain.
Where is the pygmy hog found?
It lives in tall grassland in Assam in northeastern India, at the foot of the Himalayas.