David Jones, age 12, of Cleveland, Ohio, for his question:

WHAT IS A BUSHPIG?

Bushpig is the common name for an African wild pig, also known as the African water hog. It is closely related to the domestic pig and to the European wild boar.

The bushpig lives in forested regions or dense bush areas south of the Sahara desert. The pigs are distinguished by red coats that turns gray with age, long ears tipped with long tufts of hair, elongated snouts, general hairiness and two pairs of horny growths on the face.

The bushpig is about two feet high and weights about 200 pounds.

There is also a related species found in Madagascar, but his cousin is a bit smaller than the African animal.

Bushpigs are very timid and they avoid people. They are usually active only at night and spend the daylight hours sleeping.