#hoglin

Class: Neutral

Hoglins, mutated by the radiation of the Basalt Deltas, or a whole new species entirely- Hog Mammoths prove to be a spectacle to encounter.

Journal Entry from a Biome Settler:

"Upon exploring the Nether wastelands, I tend to see such captivating sights. The way the Striders almost seamlessly walk on lava, or how Wither Skeletons guard empty fortresses as if still at war- but nothing is as thrilling as a Hoglin Hunt. I've watched many Piglin clans chase Hoglins throughout biomes. Each hunt being a success, and the cheers of the clans as they secured another feast.

Suddenly, there was a day where something changed. I watched as the Hoglins ran into the Crimson Forest, which had always been a definite death sentence. But this time, it was different. The cries of the Hoglins attracted this large beast that immediately put itself in harms way. Covered in the fungus around us, it looked as if it was an ancient guardian. Despite it's appearance, it defended the Hoglins with all it had, stomping and charging at the hunters. I had to leave the area to avoid getting myself into such danger, but as I made my escape, I continued to hear the echoing roars of this Mammoth sized Hoglin-"

Hoglin

Much like there’s a distinction between hominids (great apes, humans & human ancestors) and hominins (human & directly related human species’ (correction on my Testificate vs Artisan development post by the way)) there is a distinction between piglin and hoglin, although they do share a common ancestor, their lineages evolved apart from one another so far back that they are considered to be on entirely different branches of their family tree. Although different species of either did exist thousands of years back they have since been reduced to a singular species each, intense variations in phenotype are still found (especially in color, pattern and texture) due to the original interspecies mixing within their respective genus’s.

Although hoglin still carry certain pig like features, many of their physical traits have evolved to be sturdier. Their large and arch like upper back is used as a ram, presumably for self defense. Hoglin are omnivores with a surprising amount of bite-force, their wide elongated abnormally shaped skulls are used to headbutt potential threats. Its behaviors are easily comparable to that of a hippopotamus, (real life comparison, removed from Minecraft, lol) with a build of pure fat and muscle, a horrifying, rib shattering bite and overtly territorial behavior.

They’re hunted for their abundance of flesh- a crucial resource for anyone relying purely on the nether ecosystem to sustain themselves.

Hoglin domestication is common among piglin, as it’s a very valuable pack and transport animal, the domestication process is generally started when the animal is still young, where it is removed from its parents. Wild hoglin are hunted as a food source.

1. Hoglin with less fur

2. Piglin riding a hoglin without saddle (uncolored)

3. Piglin riding a hoglin with saddle (uncolored).

i forgot to post this quite some time ago, but here’s my concept for a Minecraft Entelodontid Hoglin! honestly, i absolutely adore Entelodontids, and i love drawing them. couldn’t miss a chance!

here’s a short scientific explanation for those of you who would like to know more:

commonly referred to as “the pigs from hell”, the Entelodonts are some of the largest animals to have ever walked on cloven hooves. they lived in North America and Eurasia, about 37.2-15.97 million years ago, and there are currently about 6-7 known genuses, with dozens more species. their diet is still debated, and they are thought to have been opportunistic omnivores that ate anything they could, as there’s evidence of them eating both meat (including bones) and plants. their heads are absolutely massive, their jaws were incredibly powerful, and they were very muscular and almost hunch-backed in appearance. however, despite their nickname of the “hell pigs”, their closest living relatives are actually thought to be whales and hippos at the moment!