Appearance:
* The red river hog has a distinctive reddish-brown or chestnut-colored coat, giving it its name.
* Both males and females have prominent canine tusks that curve upwards and outwards.
* Males have larger tusks than females, and their tusks can grow up to 25 centimeters (10 inches) long.
Habitat:
* Red river hogs inhabit various habitats, including forests, grasslands, swamps, and riverine areas.
* They prefer areas with dense vegetation near water sources, such as rivers, lakes, or swamps.
Behavior:
* Red river hogs are highly social animals that live in sounders (groups) of up to 30 individuals.
* They establish territories that they defend against other sounders.
* These hogs are mainly active during the day (diurnal), but they may also be active during the night (nocturnal) during certain seasons.
* They are good swimmers and can even swim across large bodies of water.
Diet:
* Red river hogs are omnivorous and have a varied diet.
* They primarily feed on plant material, including grasses, leaves, fruits, roots, and bulbs.
* They also supplement their diet with insects, invertebrates, amphibians, small reptiles, and occasionally, carrion.
Reproduction:
* Females reach sexual maturity at around 18 months, while males mature at around 24 months.
* Breeding can occur throughout the year, but there is a peak during the wet season.
* After a gestation period of about 170 days, females give birth to a litter of up to six piglets.
* Piglets are born with a reddish-brown coat and distinct yellowish stripes that provide camouflage.
Conservation:
* Red river hogs are classified as a species of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
* However, their populations are declining due to factors such as habitat loss, hunting, and the spread of diseases from domestic pigs.