Arkansas Razorback by Voolfie

Arkansas Razorback by Voolfie

The razorback is thought to have evolved from domestic pigs that Spanish conquistador, Hernando de Soto, and his expedition brought when they explored the Mississippi Valley region. Some would have been bartered with the local Indians, while others would have strayed from the expedition into Arkansas. After many generations in the wild, they reverted into thin, long-legged, mean hogs. Protruding tusks developed in long snouts for rooting and fighting. The name "razorback" referred to the sharp backbone trimmed with long bristly hair. As Arkansas become populated, homesteaders would hunt these new natives. Some were even captured and raised on the farm. With the coming of the railroad some would escape from their pens and get on the tracks.

One nineteenth century farmer wrote a poem and sent it to the local railroad claim agent: My razorback strolled down your track, A week ago today. Your #29 came down the line, And snuffed his life away.You can't blame me, the hog you see, Slipped through a cattle gate, So kindly pen a check for ten, The debt to liquidate. A few days later, he was surprised to receive the following: Old #29 came down the line, And killed your hog, we know, But razorbacks on railroad tracks, Quite often meet with woe. Therefore, my friend, we cannot send, The check for which you pine, Just plant the dead, place o'er his head, Here lies a foolish swine. (Previously published in RootsWebReview: Vol. 5, No. 12, 20 March 2002 with thanks to Nancy Lambert nlambert@pdnt.com]. Moving along to 1909, razorbacks in the wild were becoming a rare sight. That was the year that then University of Arkansas football coach, Hugo Bezdek, told his victorious team and student population- they played "like a wild band of Razorback Hogs." So as of the 1910 season the University of Arkansas' mascot has been a razorback. The team colors are red and white - naturally the razorback mascot is bright red. This Arkansas Razorback for your zoo enjoys deciduous forests, and dogwood trees.while rooting through the rolling Ozark forests. In recreating this extinct creature, please forgive the uncontrollable whim to tweak the DNA - making it RED.

Special thanks to Ghirin for showing me how to strive for perfection.

The coloring was done by Ghirin, and with her help I changed the rest.

Please enjoy, voolfie

p.s. don't forget to read the c.1880 poem i found -it is in the

description.

Updated 2010-10-30

Just to save space with less in zip and smaller image.

Nothing new.