First-Time Red River Hog Parents Welcome Adorable (Surprise!) Hoglet

Finn, an 8-year-old Red River hog at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, became a first-time mom last week. Keepers were greeted by a brand-new baby Red River hog in the early hours of Thurs., Aug. 29. Although first-time dad, Gus, and Finn had been seen breeding, keepers were not certain a baby was on the way.

“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,” Amy Tuchman, senior keeper in African Rift Valley says. “Little one and mom seem to be doing great. 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.”

The little hoglet is a bit smaller than its mom’s snout. Red River hoglets are often described as having a watermelon pattern when they’re born. Just like adult Red River hogs, hoglets have the signature bright orange coats, but the babies also have brown and white stripes that run the length of their bodies, along with little brown and white spots all over. Those stripes and spots usually fade at around six months of age, but act as important camouflage in the meantime.

Finn’s keepers say she has embraced her hoglet with all of the key behaviors they want to see from a first-time mom. The baby is nursing regularly, Finn nuzzles and cleans the baby, and the baby gets ‘zoomies’ in the comfort of their indoor den.

Because Finn and the hoglet have been bonding well, animal care staff are unlikely to handle the baby unless there’s a medical need. The baby’s sex has not been identified and likely won’t be for another several weeks. In keeping with CMZoo tradition, the baby likely won’t be named for at least 30 days.

Finn came to CMZoo earlier this year on a breeding recommendation with Gus, CMZoo’s 2-year-old male Red River hog. Red River hog fathers, unlike many species, are active in raising their young. For now, Finn and baby will get time to bond alone, and Gus will join the family once Finn shows she’s comfortable.

Follow CMZoo’s social media channels for updates on when Finn and the hoglet will make their debut in public spaces.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Water's Edge: Africa Welcomed a Ring-Tailed Lemur Pup in August

More baby news from the mountain! Rogue, 11-year-old ring-tailed lemur mom, and Hercules, 7-year-old dad, became parents once again with this bright-eyed and ring-tailed bundle of joy.

Staff have seen the baby nursing and consistently clinging to Mom, which indicate Mom and baby are healthy and bonding well. The sex of the pup has not been identified, but CMZoo will share updates on its social media channels as the team learns more.

Rogue, Hercules and their new little one share the island with Rogue's sister, Allagash, and Rogue and Hercules' daughter, Anja. As long as all continues to go well for the lemurs, guests can see them in Water's Edge: Africa right away.

According to the Lemur Conservation Foundation, lemurs are among the most threatened groups of mammals. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) estimates that more than 95 percent of lemurs face extinction in the next 20 years. Ring-tailed lemurs are endangered, according to the IUCN. Hercules has breeding recommendations with Allagash and Rogue as part of the ring-tailed lemur Species Survival Plan, managed cooperatively by members of Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited facilities, like CMZoo.

CMZoo was aware of Rogue's pregnancy and had been monitoring her and the baby - which arrived right on time. Lemur gestation typically lasts about 135 days. Newborn lemurs cling closely to the mother’s abdomen for about two weeks, then will start to ride on her back. After about month, young lemurs start exploring more independently until they’re fully weaned at about five or six months.