Giant Forest Hog Skull

$530.00

The Giant Forest Hog, native to forests of equatorial Africa feeds on a variety of plant material as well as insects, grubs, and sometimes carrion. Little is known about this species due to it inhabiting areas not populated by humans.

Description

Giant Forest Hog Skull Replica measures 18.8 inches. The Giant Forest Hog Skull is museum quality polyurethane cast made in the USA. 2-part skull (separate cranium & jaw). California Academy of Sciences Polyurethane cast of original specimen. Our precise skull can be used as a teaching tool, museum skull exhibit, home décor skull, or office décor skull.

The Giant Forest Hog or Hylochoerus meinertzhageni, native to forests of equatorial Africa, was not known to taxonomists until the early 1900’s. This large swine feeds on a variety of plant material as well as insects, grubs and sometimes carrion.

Standing approximately 1m high and 190 cm long, Hylochoerus meinertzhageni or Giant Forest Hog adults have a huge broad head, and males have pads of naked, inflated skin near their eyes.

Both sexes have small, straight tusks that flare outward (to 30 cm) and teeth modified for grazing and browsing. The Giant forest hog or Hylochoerus meinertzhageni has large, pointed ears and bristly hair on its body and tail. Color is slate gray with some lighter hair on the face.

The Giant Forest Hog or Hylochoerus meinertzhageni male cheek pads contain scent glands, and this hog also has a preputial scent gland. Females are slightly smaller than males. Giant Forest Hogs are found in Africa, mainly in the equatorial forests and grasslands west, west of the Rift Valley.

There are a few scattered small populations northeast of Lake Victoria, and several scattered larger populations from Nigeria to Senegal.

Giant Forest Hogs or Hylochoerus meinertzhageni occur in west and central Africa, where they are largely restricted to the Guinean and Congolese forests. They also occur more locally in humid highlands of the Rwenzori Mountains and as far east as Mount Kenya and the Ethiopian Highlands.

They are mainly found in forest-grassland mosaics, but can also be seen in wooded savanna habitats at altitudes up to 12,500 ft.

The Giant Forest Hog is mainly a herbivore, but also scavenges. It is usually considered nocturnal, but in cold periods, it is more commonly seen during daylight hours, and it may be diurnal in regions where protected from humans.

Giant Forest Hog Facts:

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Suidae
Genus: Hylochoerus
Species: H. meinertzhageni
Binomial name: Hylochoerus meinertzhageni
Conservation status: Least concern

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Additional information

Weight 10 lbs
Dimensions 18.8 × 13.5 in