Warthog

Warthog

The Warthog ( Phacochoerus africanus ) is a native to many parts of Africa mammal in the family of the Real pigs ( Suidae ). Along with the desert warthog, it forms the genus of warthogs.

Features

Warthogs are similar at first glance a somewhat flatter boar with a slightly oversized bizarre head. Above all, the four paired warts on the head and the semi-circular, up to sixty centimeters long, curved tusks ( the canine teeth of the upper jaw ) contribute to this impression. The lower canines are also extended, they are shorter but sharper. The warts can be very large especially in old males, are pure skin structures without bony or muscular basis which have already been created in the embryo. The short neck supporting a kind of dewlap.

The usual gray fur of warthogs is much less thick than that of the Central European wild boars because of its warmer home. Warthogs have a long neck and back mane that stands up in danger, and provided with a tassel tail which they set up in flight or attack - this behavior they owe the nickname " Radio Africa ". These animals can reach a body length of 90 to 150 centimeters, the tail is 25 to 50 inches long, and the shoulder height is 64-85 inches. The weight is between 50 and 150 kg, with the males are heavier than females.

Distribution and habitat

Warthogs are almost south across sub-Saharan Africa spread. Their range extends from southern Mauritania and Senegal to Ethiopia and south to Namibia and South Africa. Their habitat is open areas, preferably in savannas and light forests.

Way of life

Warthogs are in contrast to most other types of pigs diurnal, but rest during the midday heat in the bushes or under trees. They hide in rock holes, old nests, with preference in the caves of the aardvark, which go out at night in search of food at night.

These pigs live in groups of four to 16 animals, which mostly consist of several females with their offspring. Even young males form groups, while adult boars live mostly solitary. Several groups and individual animals form a large group. The territories of several groups within a large group overlap, sometimes burrows and other resources are shared.

Warthogs are very well-fortified animals, sometimes even able to sell leopard.

Food

Warthogs are omnivores, but the company mainly vegetable food. When recording grasses they settle on the wrists and push yourself in this position forward. With the snout and tusks they burrow through the soil in search of roots and tubers. Berries, tree bark, and occasionally carrion supplement the diet.

Reproduction

After a 150 - to 175 - day gestation, the female gives birth to one to eight (usually two or three) pups. The births usually fall in the dry season, around four to five months after the end of the rainy season. By 50 days, the hatchlings accompany her mother, with about five months they are weaned. The males leave their mother at about 15 months, the females stay longer, often they join also the mother of the group. Sexual maturity occurs at around 18 to 21 months. In the wild their life expectancy is seven to eleven years in captivity, these animals can be old to 20 years.

Warthogs and people

On one hand, warthogs are considered pests that are locally hunted as they ravage her grave activity fields and plantations. On the other hand, they are hunted for their meat. Overall, the species is not threatened, even if it is regional basis become rare. Only one subspecies, the Eritrean Warthog ( Phacochoerus africanus aeliani ), which occurs only in Eritrea and Djibouti, is listed by the IUCN as endangered ( endangered ).