Warthog Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum Common Name: Warthog Classification: Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Suidae Genus: Phacochoerus Species: aethiopicus Museum Location: African Savannah Diorama Description: The warthog is slimmer than other hogs. The males (warthogs) are larger than the females (sows). The male weighs 150-220 lbs. and is 27 in. tall, whereas the female weighs 99-156 lbs. and is 24 in. tall. The head and body length is 3.5-4.5 ft. and the length of the tail is around 13-19 in. long. The males have tusks that are more prominent than the females' tusks. The upper tusk in males can be 8-24 in. and the lower tusk is usually around 4 in. The head of the warthog is very large with warts, which are thickened skin, underneath the eyes. These warts can be up to 6 in. long in males, but are much smaller in females and young. The coat consists of sparse white or black bristles on grey skin. The warthog also has a long mane of dark hair and also hair on the posterior end of the tail. The females have four teats. A gland called the Harderian gland, located in the eye sockets, creates dark stains on the face of the male. Their eyesight is poor, but they have a good sense of smell and hearing. Habitat and Range: The warthog lives in savannahs, grasslands, and woodlands. It is found in sub-Saharan Africa. Diet: They eat grasses and fruits. Behavior: They are social and diurnal. The sows travel in clans with relatives, usually this consists of mothers and their offspring up to two years in age. Males also stay in their natal home range. After they part with their mothers, they travel with their brothers or unrelated males until they're four years old. Adults join the sows when they're in heat. Communication: The warthog is very vocal and has grunting and growling sounds for aggression and squealing sounds for submission. When piglets are young, play involves aggressive acts, which develops a rank at an early age. Warthogs greet each other by rubbing their pre-orbital and tusk glands against each other. The warthog also has sounds that are used for alarm. Two examples of these sounds are growl-grunt and a high squeal. Reproduction: The warthog is a seasonal breeder and tends to breed when there is lots of rainfall. After a gestation period of 170-175 days, the female normally gives birth to 2-5 young, which are hairless throughout the first week. After about 6-7 weeks, the offspring follow their mother everywhere, forming fixed lines behind her. They are weaned by 6 months. Both the male and female become sexually mature after 18-19 months, but the males usually don't mate until after 4 years. Species Status: The warthog population has declined because of hunting and they have been eliminated from most of South Africa. Interesting Facts: During fights, the males use their upper tusks and snouts, not their lower tusks. The warts on their faces help prevent their eyes from injury. Citations: http://sailfish.exis.net/~spook/warttxt.html http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Phacochoerus_aethiopicus.html By Bethany Meno