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Warthogs are perhaps one of the most unattractive-looking animals on Earth!
First, their heads seem too large for their bodies. Second, there are two or
three pairs of wart-like bumps on their flat, shovel-shaped faces. Third, four
tusks protrude from their jaws, giving them a forceful appearance. Fourth,
while warthogs have sparse hair on their brown skin, they have long manes
extending from the top of their heads to the middle of their backs. Well,
although warthogs look rather strange, or down right ugly to some people,
they are very interesting.
Living in African savannahs, warthogs are the only pig species that can live in
places where absence of water during the dry season can last for a couple of
months a year! Adding to the uniqueness is that warthogs are also the only pig
species that graze grasses. When warthogs are hungry, they kneel on their
padded front knees to nip off short grass or to dig bulbs, roots, and tubers with
their snouts and tusks. Occasionally, warthogs eat carrions (dead animals),
too. Warthogs look tougher and meaner than they actually are. If threatened,
warthogs most likely choose to flee from the scene than to challenge their
enemies. When warthogs are on a run, they hold their tails upright like an
antenna.
Warthogs are active during the daytime. As night falls, they return to their
underground homes or burrows. Although warthogs have sharp tusks that they
can use to excavate their own burrows, they prefer not to. Usually, they find
and occupy burrows abandoned by other animals. Among all the choices they
have, they like aardvarks' work the best! Warthogs are extremely cautious
when they enter or exit their homes. When warthogs are about to reach
home, they slowly back up into their residence with their heads facing
outward so they can detect any impending danger, such as a lion or a vicious
hyena hidden nearby. When warthogs are ready to leave their burrows, they
rush out at their top speed, about 30 miles per hour so they can get a running
start on any predators that may be lurking nearby.
First, their heads seem too large for their bodies. Second, there are two or
three pairs of wart-like bumps on their flat, shovel-shaped faces. Third, four
tusks protrude from their jaws, giving them a forceful appearance. Fourth,
while warthogs have sparse hair on their brown skin, they have long manes
extending from the top of their heads to the middle of their backs. Well,
although warthogs look rather strange, or down right ugly to some people,
they are very interesting.
Living in African savannahs, warthogs are the only pig species that can live in
places where absence of water during the dry season can last for a couple of
months a year! Adding to the uniqueness is that warthogs are also the only pig
species that graze grasses. When warthogs are hungry, they kneel on their
padded front knees to nip off short grass or to dig bulbs, roots, and tubers with
their snouts and tusks. Occasionally, warthogs eat carrions (dead animals),
too. Warthogs look tougher and meaner than they actually are. If threatened,
warthogs most likely choose to flee from the scene than to challenge their
enemies. When warthogs are on a run, they hold their tails upright like an
antenna.
Warthogs are active during the daytime. As night falls, they return to their
underground homes or burrows. Although warthogs have sharp tusks that they
can use to excavate their own burrows, they prefer not to. Usually, they find
and occupy burrows abandoned by other animals. Among all the choices they
have, they like aardvarks' work the best! Warthogs are extremely cautious
when they enter or exit their homes. When warthogs are about to reach
home, they slowly back up into their residence with their heads facing
outward so they can detect any impending danger, such as a lion or a vicious
hyena hidden nearby. When warthogs are ready to leave their burrows, they
rush out at their top speed, about 30 miles per hour so they can get a running
start on any predators that may be lurking nearby.
Warthogs are members of the same family as domestic pigs, but present a much different
appearance. These sturdy hogs are not among the world's most aesthetically pleasing animals—
their large, flat heads are covered with "warts," which are actually protective bumps. Warthogs
also sport four sharp tusks. They are mostly bald, but they do have some sparse hair and a thicker
mane on their backs.
Though warthogs appear ferocious, they are basically grazers. They eat grasses and plants, and also
use their snouts to dig or "root" for roots or bulbs. When startled or threatened, warthogs can be
surprisingly fast, running at speeds of up to 30 miles (48 kilometres) an hour.
Warthogs are adaptable and are able to go long periods without water, as much as several months
in the dry season.
When water is available, warthogs will seek it and often submerge to cool down. They will also
wallow in mud for the same purpose—and to gain relief from insects. Birds also aid these hogs in
their battle with insects; ox peckers and other species sometimes ride along on their warthog hosts,
feeding on the tiny creatures invading their hides.
These African hogs often utilise empty dens created by aardvarks. Rather than fight, they often
choose flight, and search for such a den to use as a hidey-hole. They typically back in, using their
tusks to effectively guard the entrance.
Warthogs also use these dens to have their young. Females have litters of four or fewer young,
which they suckle for about four months.
appearance. These sturdy hogs are not among the world's most aesthetically pleasing animals—
their large, flat heads are covered with "warts," which are actually protective bumps. Warthogs
also sport four sharp tusks. They are mostly bald, but they do have some sparse hair and a thicker
mane on their backs.
Though warthogs appear ferocious, they are basically grazers. They eat grasses and plants, and also
use their snouts to dig or "root" for roots or bulbs. When startled or threatened, warthogs can be
surprisingly fast, running at speeds of up to 30 miles (48 kilometres) an hour.
Warthogs are adaptable and are able to go long periods without water, as much as several months
in the dry season.
When water is available, warthogs will seek it and often submerge to cool down. They will also
wallow in mud for the same purpose—and to gain relief from insects. Birds also aid these hogs in
their battle with insects; ox peckers and other species sometimes ride along on their warthog hosts,
feeding on the tiny creatures invading their hides.
These African hogs often utilise empty dens created by aardvarks. Rather than fight, they often
choose flight, and search for such a den to use as a hidey-hole. They typically back in, using their
tusks to effectively guard the entrance.
Warthogs also use these dens to have their young. Females have litters of four or fewer young,
which they suckle for about four months.
