1. Plant Matter:
- Grasses: Pygmy hogs primarily consume grasses, which make up a significant portion of their diet.
- Leaves: They feed on leaves of various plants found in their habitat.
2. Roots and Tubers:
- Pygmy hogs dig up roots and tubers, including those of ginger and turmeric, which are essential food sources.
3. Fruits and Berries:
- They relish fruits and berries that grow in their forest habitats.
4. Seeds and Nuts:
- Pygmy hogs consume seeds and nuts as part of their diet.
5. Insects and Invertebrates:
- They supplement their plant-based diet with insects and other small invertebrates, such as worms, snails, and insects like termites.
6. Small Vertebrates:
- Pygmy hogs have also been observed preying on small vertebrates, such as frogs and lizards, when available.
It's important to note that the availability of food sources can vary depending on the season and location of the pygmy hog population. Their diet may also be influenced by habitat degradation and competition from other animals, which pose additional challenges to their survival.