Head to head
Red River Hog vs Bushpig
Red River Hog
VS Bushpig
The red river hog and bushpig are close relatives in the genus Potamochoerus, both nocturnal African wild pigs that live in groups, but they differ in colour, habitat, and relationship with farmers.
| Red River Hog | Bushpig | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Potamochoerus porcus | Potamochoerus larvatus |
| Relationship | A close relative of the bushpig, in the same genus | A close relative of the red river hog, in the same genus |
| Coat | A bright reddish-orange coat, a white stripe along the back, a black-and-white face, and long tufted ears | A dark, shaggy coat with a crest of pale hair along the back |
| Range | Rainforest, swamp forest, and riverside thicket in West and Central Africa | Forest, thicket, and savanna across eastern and southern Africa, with an introduced population in Madagascar |
| Diet | Roots, fruit, seeds, grasses, insects, and carrion | Roots, tubers, fruit, crops, insects, and carrion |
| Groups and activity | Lives in groups called sounders, led by a dominant boar, and is mainly nocturnal | Lives in groups called sounders, led by a dominant boar, and is mainly nocturnal |
| People | Hunted for meat in many areas | Raids maize, potatoes, and other crops, and is regarded as a pest by farmers |
| Conservation status | Least Concern, with a stable population | Least Concern, with a stable population |
Red River Hog vs Bushpig: common questions
Which pig is bright orange?
The red river hog, which has a bright reddish-orange coat with a white stripe along its back.
Which pig is a crop pest?
The bushpig, which raids maize, potatoes, and other crops and is regarded as a pest by farmers.
Where do the red river hog and bushpig live?
The red river hog lives in rainforest in West and Central Africa, while the bushpig lives in forest, thicket, and savanna across eastern and southern Africa.