Pygmy Hog

Standing only 20 to 25 cm tall, the Pygmy Hog is the smallest pig species on earth. These tiny suids have grayish-brown skin covered in dark bristles, with a head that tapers sharply toward the snout. Adult males are distinguished by upper canines that are visible on the sides of the mouth. Historically, they occupied a thin stretch of the southern Himalayan foothills from Uttar Pradesh to Assam, though the only known population now lives in Manas National Park.

These pigs are specialized for life in tall, wet alluvial grasslands at elevations below 300 m. They are social animals, with females and offspring living in family groups that can reach 20 individuals, while adult males generally live alone. Using their snouts to dig for roots and tubers, they also eat insects, eggs, and small reptiles. During the day, they forage for up to 10 hours, retreating to unique nests made of dry grass to escape the afternoon heat or stay warm in winter. Breeding occurs before the monsoons, resulting in litters of two to six piglets.

Their survival is threatened by the loss and destruction of their grassland habitat for commercial use and human settlement. Annual burning of the grass and harvesting it for thatch disrupts their environment, as does livestock grazing and flood control schemes. Additionally, they are hunted for meat and face predation from tigers and pythons. Conservationists are currently using captive breeding and re-release programs to help the remaining population of around 500 mature individuals.