Cultures and Religions of the Himalayan Region

Lucinda Kanczuzewski
Kettering High School, Detroit, MI
Endangered Species in the Himalayan Region

Mammals

Birds

Reptiles

Amphibians

Maps

Pygmy Hog

The pygmy hog is the world's smallest pig. It is classified as critically endangered. It lives in northern India and Nepal in tall, dense grassland, where it feeds on roots and tubers, as well as insects and worms. Males weigh about twenty pounds; females weigh slightly less. They have a very small tail which is just over one inch long.

Pygmy hogs build nests that they use year round. They live in family groups of four to five individuals, but groups can have as many as twenty members. These groups include one or more adult females and their young. Adult males are generally solitary, but associate loosely with their family group. The sows, or females can have up to seven piglets in a litter, but the usual litter has between three and four young. Most pygmy piglets are born at the start of the monsoon season in late April and May.

The continuing decline of the pygmy hog is caused by the degradation of its habitat. Its remaining grassland habitat is burned during the dry season, forcing the animal to seek cover in any area left unburned. Hunters take advantage of the game concentrated in the remaining cover following the burn.

Human settlement causes modification and in some cases, elimination of the habitat of the pygmy hog. Overgrazing by domestic livestock eliminates the tall, dense grassland which forms the habitat of this species. Farmers plow the grassland for agricultural purposes, effectively eliminating habitat. Flood control projects also impact the survival of grassland.

Although pygmy hogs are critically endangered in their natural habitat, and may be extinct in Bhutan and Nepal, The Assam Tribune reported a "baby boom" at the Basistha Breeding Center near Guwahati in India in the March 6, 1999 issue of the paper. Apparently, the pygmy hog breeds well in captivity. However, unless the natural habitat of this animal can be preserved, there will be nowhere to release the youngsters after they are raised. "The survival of the animals is closely linked to the existence of the tall and wet grasslands which, besides being a highly threatened habitat itself, is also crucial for survival of a variety of other endangered species like the famous one-horned rhinoceros and the tier." (Dr. Gautam Narayan, quoted in The Assam Tribune, March 6, 1999.)

LINKS

Animal Info--Pygmy Hog

Baby boom article