Warthog

Species

There are two species of warthog, Common and desert (Cape).

Phacochoerus africanus
Phacochoerus aethiopicus

Common warthog
Desert or Cape warthog

Population

Both species are considered of least concern, according to the IUCN, but populations of both are declining.

Size

Warthogs can weigh between 50-150 kg (males are 9 -23 kg heavier than females) and measure 90-150 cm long. They stand 36 cm from their hooves to their shoulder. Common warthogs are slightly bigger than desert warthogs.

Habitat & distribution

Warthogs prefer moist, arid savannas - they avoid rainforests, deserts and high mountains.
The desert warthog has a smaller distribution through parts of Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia (which overlaps with the Common warthog).

Warthogs don't have warts!

Warthogs got their name from the warty looking growths on their faces. They are, in fact, thick patches of skin. There are 3 pairs of warts : the largest are the suborbital (just under the eye) and can grow to 10cm ; the second pair are the preorbital (which do not develop much in females) and the much smaller sub-maxillary (under the jaw, on the side of the face) and may have white bristles on them. The warts actually protect the face when the males use their tusks for fighting.
In desert warthogs, the suborbital warts are more hook shaped and point more downward.

Diet

Warthogs are omnivores. The are often seen on their calloused, padded knees eating short grass. They dig for bulbs, tubers and roots in the dry season. In the wet season, they eat earthworms and small invertebrates.

Interesting facts

TUSKS: two upper tusks (canine teeth) emerge from the sides of the snout to form a semi-circle. These can grow to 25 cm long. Lower tusks are worn down to be sharp.
Desert warthogs have one less pair of incisors than the common warthog.
HAIRLESS: a warthog is very thinly covered with hair. They do have a mane they goes down the back and bristles on their face and a tuft of bristles at the end of their tail. Because of the lack of body hair and a lack of body fat, warthogs are susceptible to cooler temperatures. To keep warm, they sleep in and shelter in burrows vacated by other animals such as aardvarks.

Group

Adult males are usually solitary and can be territorial, although small bachelor groups can form. Females live in groups called sounders. There can be up to 40, including piglets, in a sounder.

Breeding & lifespan

The gestation period is 6 months. The young are called piglets and are born in a den/burrow where they stay for the first 7 weeks. A sow only has 4 teats and each piglet has an exclusive teat. Even if a piglet dies, the available teat will not be used by the other piglets. Unfortunately, young warthogs are susceptible to predation and temperature extremes contributing to their 50% survival rate.
The lifespan of warthogs in the wild is 15-18 years.

Predators & threats

Lions, leopards, hyenas and crocodiles prey on warthogs.
Humans also kill warthogs because they raid crops. They also carry African swine fever so are killed in agricultural areas to protect livestock.