Overview
The warthog is ungainly with a huge head, a long body and well-developed tusks. The upper tusks form a semicircle outward, upward and inward. The lower tusks wear against the base of the upper tusks, honing sharp cutting edges. The skin is almost hairless except for a long, thin mane of coarse hairs on the neck and back. The natural skin color is gray, but may appear red or yellow because of the animal's habit of wallowing in mud. Males have prominent warts-which are skin growths with no bony support or obvious function-on the sides of the head and beneath the eyes. The tail is long and thin, hairless except for the terminal tuft, and is carried upright with the tufted tip hanging over when the warthog runs. Females are similar to males, but smaller, without prominent warts, and with smaller tusks.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Artiodactyla
- Family
- Suidae
- Genus
- Phacochoerus
Habitat
Savanna and open forest. Distribution- Widespread throughout Africa south of the Sahara, except in rain forests.
Diet
Eats mainly grass, but also fruit, bark, bulbs, roots, small animals and carrion. Likes water for drinking and bathing but can do without it if need be.
Behavior
Normally diurnal unless heavily hunted. Active morning and afternoon, resting at midday and at night. Utilizes holes-either natural ones or aardvark holes-for refuge, sleeping, and to rear young. Usually enters a hole by backing in. Senses of smell and hearing are acute, eyesight is rather poor. Top running speed is 35 mph (56 kmh). Normally inoffensive, but will defend itself bravely and can inflict severe wounds with the small, sharp lower tusks. The longer upper tusks are used in digging.
Hunting
Usually in hunting areas the populations are plentiful. Hunting them in the wet season is considerably harder than the dry season simply due to ease of visibility in the drier season. Their tusks can be judged on the hoof. Warthogs also make excellent leopard bait.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern by IUCN.