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Fast Facts:

The Warthog's unusual appearance is marked with two prominent warts on each side of its face and a curled upper pair of tusks matching a shorter lower pair.
The eyes are set very high and far back on its forehead so it can watch for predators while feeding.
They can run up to 30 mph.

Warthog

Scientific Name:	Phacochoerus aethiopicus
Classification:	Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Suidae
Status:	Stable
Range:	Central, eastern and southern Africa
Habitat:	Plains & grasslands.
Diet:	Grasses, herbs, tubers and bulbs
Size:	Length: 46-60 inches Height: 30 inches Weight: 130-265 pounds
Lifespan:	12 yrs.
Location:
Print Fact Sheet	Warthog

Special Features:

The gristly warts on the side of the head are most prominent on the male. The purpose of these warts is not known. It could be that they are used as a weapon or as a defense for fending off blows from other Warthogs.
The Warthog has horny knee pads since it has to bend down on its knees to eat.
The long, tasseled tail is held erect when the Warthog runs.
Since Warthogs cannot sweat, they must wallow in mud to remain cool.
Warthogs have poor eyesight, but an excellent sense of smell and hearing.

Social Structure & Behavior:

Although the Warthog is usually quiet, it grunts while feeding and during courtship.

Family groups are called sounders and consist of a boar, sow and a litter of piglets. They will use abandoned aardvark dens or hollows under rocks for shelter in an area with a good water source for wallowing and drinking.

When the family enters the den the young climb in head first and the last adult goes in backwards with the tusks facing out of the hole. Adults will ferociously defend the sounder. Warthogs are diurnal, active during the day.

Breeding & Care of Young:
Sexual maturity is 18 months. Gestation is 171-175 days. Average litter size is 2-4 piglets. Piglets are grayish-pink and susceptible to cold.