warthogs

Warthogs are medium-sized, hoofed mammals in the pig family native to sub-Saharan Africa. They belong to the genus Phacochoerus and include two living species: the common warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) and the desert warthog (Phacochoerus aethiopicus). They are easily recognized by the dozen facial warts in males, curved tusks that project upward and outward, and a mane of coarse hair along the spine.

Physically, warthogs have a large head, sparse hair, tough skin, and a short tail with a tuft at the end. The upper canine tusks grow continuously and are primarily used for defense and fighting. Adults typically weigh between 60 and 150 kilograms, with males generally larger than females. Their bodies are built for digging and running, and they have a relatively slender appearance compared with other pigs.

Warthogs lead a largely diurnal or crepuscular lifestyle and are often found in open savannas, grasslands, and light woodlands. They live in social groups called sounders, usually composed of females and their young, while adult males are more solitary or form bachelor groups. They feed mainly on grasses but will eat tubers, fruit, and occasionally small animals. A common behavior is to use burrows—often abandoned aardvark burrows—for shelter from heat and predators.

Reproduction occurs year-round in some habitats and seasonally in others. Females give birth to litters of 2 to 8 piglets after a gestation of about five months. Piglets have stripes that fade as they grow.

Conservation status is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, with overall populations stable in many areas. Threats include habitat loss, hunting, and drought, but warthogs perform an ecological role as seed dispersers and ecosystem engineers through their digging.