Description

Metridiochoerus modestus was a species of large, prehistoric pig in the subfamily Suinae, native to Pleistocene Africa. It resembled a warthog but was significantly larger, stockier, and more robust. It had prominent, curling tusks emerging from its snout and a reinforced skull and jaw, suggesting it could handle tougher vegetation or may have used its tusks in combat or defense. Its thick hide and bristly body likely made it well-suited to savanna and woodland environments with seasonal climates.


It differed from modern warthogs by its massive size, elongated skull, and more exaggerated dental features. The large cheek teeth suggest a diet that could include coarse grasses and tough roots. It may have filled an ecological role similar to that of wild boars or peccaries today, rooting through the soil and grazing.