Warthog

Warthog

And now presenting- the wild pig! Or, as we commonly know it, the warthog! This pig doesn't reside on the farm, however- it resides in sub-Saharan Africa! It is very easy to tell a warthog from a pig just by its tusks. It has 2 pairs, one on top, one on bottom. The bottom ones, more important than the top, are sharpened by grinding against the top teeth whenever the mouth opens and closes. Ouch!

Warthogs are thin, unlike their close relative, the pig. Guess that takes the fun out of saying "you pig!" when your little brother stuffs his face at the table, huh? They are light weight, and have thin fur. This makes it easier for them to stand warm weather. Their tail has no fur on it, just a little fluff at the end. The color of the fur is usually either black or brown.

Warthogs are the only pigs to cope with savanna eating. Instead of Ol' Farmer Brown's table scraps, these pigs have to rough it on whatever they can find, even bugs and eggs. Though warthogs are not territorial, they WILL defend themselves if you come to close to their den. They are like living security cameras. They even back themselves into their den so that their head faces forward, ready to awake and defend if needed.

Gestation period lasts 5-6 weeks. Before giving birth, a female warthog will completely desert her family for a new burrow, where she raises the 2-8 piglets all by herself. Warthogs have been known to take in stray piglets, especially if they have previously lost their own litter. As babies are always kept nearby, warthogs never run when there is danger around.