Warthog

: Warthog

Phacochoerus aethiopucus [Scientific]
N'giri [Sena]
Facocero [Portuguese]

Description

Warthogs belong to the boar family. These tough animals are distinguished by large heads and “warts,” or thick protective pads, on both sides of the head. They also have spots of dense fur on the throat and back. Both male and female warthogs have tusks, although the males’ tusks are much larger. The best way to distinguish males and females are by the "warts;" both males and females have a pair just below the eyes, but only males have a second pair on the muzzle.

Warthogs spend most of their days looking for grass and roots. They kneel on their front legs when grazing and often walk around on their front “knees” looking for grass to eat. Warthogs also spend time in marshy areas wallowing in the mud.

Warthogs are not dependent on water like other pigs. They are the only pigs able to live in areas without water for several months of the year, but they do drink and wallow in it when it is available. Warthogs can conserve moisture inside their body instead of sweating to cool themselves down because they can sometimes tolerate a higher body temperature.

The warthog's large tusks are unusual: The two upper ones emerge from the sides of the snout to form a semicircle; the lower tusks at the base of the uppers are worn to a sharp cutting edge. Sparse bristles cover the warthog's body, although longer bristles form a mane from the top of the head down the spine to the middle of the back. The long tail ends with a tuft of bristles. The warthog characteristically carries its tail upright when it runs, the tuft waving like a tiny flag to warn others of potential danger.

Warthogs live in family groups of a female and her young. Sometimes two families, often of related females, will join together. Males normally live by themselves, only joining the groups to mate.

Warthogs sleep and rest in holes. Warthogs normally use those dug by other animals, like aardvarks or antbears, because they don’t have the strong claws necessary to dig out compacted soils. The shelter a hole provides is important for warthog thermoregulation—having neither fur nor fat, the warthog lacks both protection from the sun and insulation from cold. Sometimes warthogs will line their holes with grass, probably to make them warmer. Warthogs push themselves backwards into these holes in order to better fight enemies.