| Actual Image
Wart Hog (2)
dugulk
![Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 11 W: 5 N: 46]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/s-n-s.gif) (317) | WART HOG:
THIS SHOT WAS TAKEN FROM THE ROOF OF THE TREE TOP LODGE AT 6.32 PM AS THE SUN WAS SETTING...OUR FIRST DAY AT THE LODGE
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Suidae
Genus: Phacochoerus
Species: P. africanus
Binomial name
Phacochoerus africanus
A wild African hog (Phacochoerus aethiopicus) that has two tusks and wartlike growths on the face.
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.
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. |
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