Identification
A stocky mammal with a large head, elongated snout and bristly coat. Young piglets show pale lengthwise stripes that provide camouflage.
When to look
Resident and often difficult to observe without disturbance. Activity depends on human pressure, food and season.
Where to look
Woodland, scrub and adjoining farmland provide food and cover. Wet places can offer wallows and drinking water.
Behaviour and ecology
Food and nutrition
An opportunistic omnivore eating roots, seeds, fruit and varied animal foods. Ground rooting is a normal feeding behaviour.
Breeding and life cycle
Females raise litters in sheltered vegetation. Family groups can include several females and young, while larger males may be more solitary.
A closer look
Rooting changes the soil surface and can create new opportunities for plants and invertebrates, although effects depend on the place and intensity.
Observation and photography
Give family groups a wide berth and never approach piglets. Do not block escape routes or offer food for photographs.
Sources and further reading
Watch from a safe distance, leave animals an escape route and never feed or bait them. Keep away from dens and young. Follow local guide and reserve instructions; sightings cannot be guaranteed.