One of the smallest and most endangered wild pig species on Earth. Native to the tall, wet grasslands of the Himalayan foothills in Assam, India, this tiny pig is a living relic of ancient ecosystems. For decades, it was believed to be extinct until a small population was rediscovered in the 1970s. Today, it survives thanks to intensive conservation programs that have brought it back from the brink of disappearance.

One of the most remarkable features of the pygmy hog is its size. Their compact body is covered in coarse, dark brown hair, and their short legs give them a low, sleek profile—perfect for slipping through thick grasses. Their small, pointed snout helps them root through soil for food, while their short tail and quick movements help them stay hidden from predators. Although tiny, they are surprisingly fast and agile, capable of darting through dense vegetation with ease.

Pygmy hogs are highly dependent on tall grasslands, particularly those dominated by species like Saccharum (elephant grass). These habitats form dense, year-round cover where the hogs feed, breed, and shelter. Their diet includes roots, tubers, insects, small invertebrates, and fallen plant material. One of their most characteristic behaviors is building nests, which they construct by bending, layering, and weaving grass into dome-shaped structures. These nests serve as resting places, nurseries for their young, and protection from the harsh sun and monsoon rains. Very few wild pigs build such elaborate shelters, making this a distinctive trait of the species.

With only a few hundred individuals existing in the wild, the primary threat to pygmy hogs is the loss and degradation of grassland habitats, largely caused by agricultural expansion, livestock grazing, burning, and human settlement. Without tall, intact grasslands, the hogs cannot survive.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Bangladesh

Official estimate

EX

Extinct locally

Bhutan

2016

Presence Uncertain

India

2016

Nepal

Official estimate

EX

Extinct locally