Warthog

Species: Warthog
Habitat: African Plains
Status: Least Concern
DAK Locale: Kilimanjaro Safari

Warthogs are members of the wild pig family. They are found in the sub-Saharan grasslands of Africa. The name comes from the four large wart like protrusions on the top of their snout. These act a fat reserves and are used by males in fighting. They also have two pairs of tusks. These are used for digging, in defense, and fighting amongst themselves like the "warts."

The warthog is the only pig that has adapted to life on the plains. It eats grasses, roots, and berries as well as insects and carrion. The diet depends mostly on the climate. During the rainy season, they mostly graze. During leaner times of the year, the diet is much more "whatever they can find."

 Warthogs are common prey on the savanna. They are hunted by all the major predators: lions, hyena, wild dogs, leopards, cheetah and, of course, man. Females will defend their young against predators, even being known to give their own lives. However, the main method of defense is flight and the warthog is surprisingly fast. If cornered, the tusks are used as a last defense and can be very dangerous.

They live in groups called sounders and are very territorial. The groups are made up mostly of females with males living in territories they guard fiercely. The males have ranges that typically overlap several female sounders.

Warthogs are fairly numerous with estimated populations somewhere above 250,000. They are hunted for their tusks which are popular with the tourist trade. They are also susceptible to drought.