Cheyenne Mountain Zoo welcomes ‘surprise’ Red River hoglet
An “adorable” addition has been made to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo family — a Red River hoglet.
Zookeepers were greeted by the baby hog last Thursday, born to first-time parents 8-year-old Finn and 2-year-old Gus, according to a press release from the zoo.
The two had been seen breeding, but zookeepers were unsure if a baby was on the way, making for a cute surprise.
The zoo said the hoglet is just smaller than its mother Finn’s snout, and both mom and baby seem to be doing great.
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“We’re seeing a lot of nursing, napping and activity from the baby. It likes to climb over Finn’s face, and we’ve seen it jumping and running when it gets little bursts of energy. Finn is really sweet and patient with it,” said Amy Tuchman, the zoo’s senior keeper in African Rift Valley area.
As a first-time mother, Finn has embraced her baby with “all of the key behaviors” zookeepers want to see, according to the release. The zoo said the hoglet is nursing regularly and gets the “zoomies” in their indoor den.
Red River hoglets are born with a “watermelon pattern” of brown and white stripes and spots, which typically fade away after six months, but act as camouflage in the meantime. They also have signature bright orange coats just like the adults, the zoo said.
“It may seem strange to some, but Red River hog babies are some of the cutest in the whole animal kingdom with their striped markings, tiny statures and energetic behaviors,” Tuchman said.
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The sex of the baby has not yet been identified and likely won’t be for several weeks, and in keeping with the zoo’s tradition, will likely not be named for at least 30 days, according to the release.
As a result of Finn and her baby bonding so well, the zoo’s animal care team are unlikely to handle the hoglet unless there’s a medical need.
While Red River hog dads are usually active in raising their young, Gus will join the two once Finn show’s she comfortable, the zoo said.