''Metridiochoerus'' is an extinct genus in the

pig family Suidae is a family of artiodactyl mammals which are commonly called pigs, hogs or swine. In addition to numerous fossil species, 18 extant species are currently recognized (or 19 counting domestic pigs and wild boars separately), classified into ...

indigenous to the

Pliocene The Pliocene ( ; also Pleiocene) is the epoch in the geologic time scale that extends from 5.333 million to 2.58Pleistocene of Africa. It is also known as the giant warthog.

Description

''Metridiochoerus'' was a large animal, in length, resembling a giant warthog. It had two large pairs of tusks which were pointed sideways and curved upwards. Based on the complicated, knobbly pattern of the creature's molars, ''Metridiochoerus'' is considered to have been an

omnivore An omnivore () is an animal that has the ability to eat and survive on both plant and animal matter. Obtaining energy and nutrients from plant and animal matter, omnivores digest carbohydrates, protein, fat, and fiber, and metabolize the nutr ...

References

*Barry Cox, Colin Harrison, R.J.G. Savage, and Brian Gardiner. (1999): The Simon & Schuster Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Creatures: A Visual Who's Who of Prehistoric Life. Simon & Schuster. *David Norman . (2001): The Big Book Of Dinosaurs. pg. 226, Walcome books. *''World Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs & Prehistoric Creatures: The Ultimate Visual Reference To 1000 Dinosaurs And Prehistoric Creatures Of Land, Air And Sea ... And Cretaceous Eras (World Encyclopedia)'' by Dougal Dixon Prehistoric Suidae Pliocene even-toed ungulates Pleistocene even-toed ungulates Piacenzian first appearances Pleistocene genus extinctions Cenozoic mammals of Africa Fossil taxa described in 1926 Pleistocene mammals of Africa Prehistoric even-toed ungulate genera Suinae {{paleo-eventoedungulate-stub