? Warthog | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [image] | ||||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||
| Phacochoerus africanus ( Pallas, 1766) |
The Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) is a wild member of the pig family that lives in the plains and open woodlands of Africa. They are the only widely recognised species in their Genus, though some authors divide them into two species. On that classification, P. africanus is the Common Warthog and P. aethiopicus is the Cape or Somali Warthog.
[image]
Warthogs are identifiable by the two pairs of tusks protruding from their mouth, which are used as weapons against predators. Warthogs derive their name from their short, almost Wart-like, horns. They eat grass, berries, bark, roots, and Carrion, as well as insects and grubs.
They range in size from 0.9 to 1.5 metres (2.9-4.9 feet) in length and 50 to 150 kg (110-330 pounds) in weight.
A grouping of Warthogs is called a sounder.
They are the largest burrowing animals in the world, and they back into their burrows at night. This keeps their tusks pointed outward for defensive purposes.
Famous fictional Warthogs include Pumbaa from The Lion King and Bebop from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.