Meet The Newest Member Of Colorado’s Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Say hello to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's newest family member.

Last Friday (Aug. 12), keepers at the zoo were greeted by a brand-new baby Red River hog during the early hours of the morning.

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As per the zoo's Facebook post, they had suspicions a baby was on the way, and their suspicions were confirmed when they found Red River hog mom, Zena, resting peacefully with her baby, who is reported to appear to be in good health.

“We are over the moon with excitement for this little one,” said Lauren Phillippi, lead keeper in African Rift Valley.

“Red River hog babies are some of the cutest in the whole animal kingdom with their little stripes, tiny statures and energetic behaviors.”

What is a Red River Hoglet?

According to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Red River hoglets are often described as having a watermelon pattern when they’re born.

Similar to 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 in around six months, but act as important camouflage in the meantime.

Red River hoglets are sometimes described as looking like wind-up toys because they get bursts of energy that send them running circles around their mothers.

The zoo says they've started to see that behavior, among other traits from the zoo's new baby hoglet; the baby is reportedly nursing regularly, as 8-year-old Zena regularly nuzzles and cleans the baby.

As far as size is concerned - the zoo's new baby hoglet is said to be about the size of its mom’s snout.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo officials said the baby hoglet's sex has yet to be identified and will likely not be for another few weeks.

Zena is now a momma hog of two - this is Zena’s second hoglet, after Pinto, who was born at the zoo in April 2021.

For more information about Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's newest family member, the zoo says to follow its social media channels for all updates, including when Zena and the hoglet will make their public debut.