Scientific Name: Phacochoerus africanus
The animal gets its name from the warty protrusions on either side of the face of which the male has two on either side and the female one.
Widely spread on the savannas and semi arid areas of sub-saharan Africa
Warthogs are not territorial but males will compete for females on heat. Females and accompanying young will form a sounder. Males leave the sounder upon reaching sexual maturity and join a bachelor group or move around singly.
There are no notable differences in the species across its range.
Warthogs occur throughout the African savanna regions which have permanent water. It is not found in deserts and mountainous areas above altitudes of three thousand metres.
Warthogs feed on a variety of plants. In times of plenty they will feed mostly on grass. During dry times they will eat roots and bulbs which they are very adept at digging out. They will eat fruit when available. Warthog are often recorded eating the dung of elephants.
One to six piglets are born (rarely more) and they will stay hidden in the burrow for up to two months. After this period they will follow the mother everywhere, keeping very close to her in the beginning.
In areas where there is no defined wet and dry season breeding takes place year round and in areas where there are defined seasons breeding will be seasonal and birthing is around the time of the dry season.
Warthog show the least concern among animals when approaching a waterhole.
Two Warthogs fighting
A fight between two males can get very bloody.