National Museum of Natural Science

Order Artiodactyla, Family Suidae

Miocene (20 million years before present)

Republic of Georgia

Omnivore

Kubanochoerus gigas was huge, weighing between 500 and 800 kilograms. Its most unique feature was a relatively large “horn” on its forehead. Although these pigs originated in Africa, they traveled northward, expanding their range to Eurasia. Where they lived were ferocious carnivorous animals including saber-toothed tigers, giant hyenas and other canines, and bears. The long-legged pig was able to fend off these ferocious predators and protect its young due to its large size, strength, and the weapon on its head. As it was omnivorous, it ate a variety of foods using its large, durable, and well-developed molars.

Kubanochoerus gigas