Head to head
Giant Forest Hog vs Common Warthog
Giant Forest Hog
VS Common Warthog
The giant forest hog and common warthog are two African wild pigs that are unusually grass-eating for pigs, one in the shade of equatorial forest and the other on open savanna.
| Giant Forest Hog | Common Warthog | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Hylochoerus meinertzhageni | Phacochoerus africanus |
| Size | The largest wild pig, weighing up to roughly 275 kg | Males weigh 60 to 150 kg and females 45 to 75 kg |
| Face | Large pads of skin below the eyes, and a coat of coarse, long black hair | Thick pads of skin and cartilage, the so-called warts, which are larger in males and cushion tusk fights |
| Habitat | Forest and woodland across equatorial Africa | Grassland, savanna, open woodland, and floodplain across sub-Saharan Africa |
| Diet | Grazes on grasses and herbs in forest clearings and along forest edges | Mostly a grazer of short grasses, with roots, bulbs, berries, bark, and carrion in lean times |
| Distinctive behaviour | Lives in groups of a few to a dozen or more, led by a dominant male | Kneels on padded wrists to graze and runs with its tail held straight up |
| Shelter | Not specifically documented | Uses and enlarges old aardvark burrows, backing in tail-first so it can defend the entrance |
| Conservation status | Least Concern, though declining where it is hunted for meat | Least Concern, common and widespread |
Giant Forest Hog vs Common Warthog: common questions
Which is the largest wild pig?
The giant forest hog, which weighs up to roughly 275 kg.
Why does the warthog kneel?
It grazes for long periods shuffling forward on padded wrists, because its neck is short and its legs are long.
Where do the giant forest hog and common warthog live?
The giant forest hog lives in forest across equatorial Africa, while the common warthog lives on savanna and in open woodland across sub-Saharan Africa.