hogjern

Hogjern is a fictional mammal described in speculative zoology and Nordic folklore. In the proposed taxonomy, it is a medium-sized omnivore of boreal forests in the northern hemisphere. Adults weigh roughly 60 to 110 kilograms and measure about 1.0 to 1.4 meters in body length, with a stocky build and a dense, bristled coat. The snout is elongated and well suited to rooting in soil, and individuals have prominent, upward-curving canines. Coat color ranges from gray-brown to russet, often with a sparse mane along the spine.

Hogjern are typically crepuscular and mostly solitary, though small family groups may form during breeding season. They forage on roots, tubers, berries, seeds, insects, and occasional carrion, making them omnivorous. A keen sense of smell helps locate underground food sources, while strong legs enable short, rapid sprints when threatened. They frequent moist mixed forests and often use wallows and mud to regulate body temperature and parasites.

Reproduction occurs in late winter to early spring, with litters commonly containing 2 to 5 offspring. Gestation is around 100 to 130 days. Newborns are cared for by mothers for several months, with weaning around 6 to 8 weeks and extended juvenile dependency. In speculative accounts, lifespans range from 6 to 12 years in the wild, longer in captivity.

In fiction and folklore, hogjern ranges across forested regions of northern continents, from boreal Europe to North America. It is depicted as elusive and resilient, well adapted to cold, wet environments. The creature features in regional tales and is sometimes used as a symbol of endurance or cunning in cultural art and storytelling. Because hogjern is a fictional construct, it has no real-world conservation status.