Description:

The central trunk boar (Truncosus centralis) is an omnivorous trunked pig species. Pigs arrived on the Australian continent after European colonization of the continent. They brought pigs as farm animals, but some pigs escaped and became feral. In the Novicene, pigs fill a role not dissimilar to that of their ancient ancestors. Most are still omnivorous with little changes in their niche and adaptations. Some, however, have changed in physiology to an extreme degree. The trunk-boars are some of these hooved mammals. This lineage of pigs evolved a distinct tapir-like trunk and lost a majority of its hair. The central trunk boar is one of the largest of this genus, with them getting roughly 2 to 2.5 meters from head to rear. They also weigh roughly 250 to 284 kilograms. They are generally covered in smooth skin with a small amount of hair. The young of this species are covered in coarse light-brown hair, but, as they grow older, they lose this hair. These animals also have a tapir-like trunk/proboscis on the tip of their snout. This proboscis is often used to pick up foliage and to manipulate things in the environment. They live 20 years in the wild and up to 40 years in captivity.

Distribution:

These mammals live in the central part of Australia. This range covers a section of habitat, but they primarily inhabit lowland rainforests, open woodlands, and savannas. This wide range of food makes them incredibly adaptable to new environmental conditions. They also tend to live in wetland areas, being excellent swimmers.

Diet:

These creatures consume a variety of foods: grasses, tubers, leaves, berries, fruit, seeds, insects, small vertebrates, and carrion. Roughly 70% of their diet consists of plant matter.

Social Behavior and Reproduction:

These pigs are mostly shy, solitary, and crepuscular animals. During the breeding season (which is usually at the beginning of the rainy season), these pigs will gather in large openings in the wooded areas where they live. during this time. Males will begin to produce loud grunts and whines. These loud noises communicate how healthy and fit the male is for mating. Once a female picks a male, they will leave the forest opening and mate in an area with high cover. After mating, the pair will separate. The male will occasionally go back to the opening to mate with other females, but often chooses not to. The female gives birth to one infant, which she will raise for roughly two years before the offspring is mature enough to live alone.