Mammals · Suidae
Warthogs
Phacochoerus africanus
Least Concern
The warthog, wart-hog, common warthog, or African lens-pig is a wild member of the pig family that lives in grassland, savanna, and woodland in Sub-Saharan Africa. The common name comes from the four large wart-like protrusions found on the head, which serve as defense when males fight as well as a fat reserve.
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Suidae
Genus: Phacochoerus
Species: africanus
Other names: Swine, Pig, Hog
Size
3.0 to 4.9 feet in length, weighing 110 to 170 lbs. Stand 30 inches at the shoulder. Males weigh 20 to 50 lbs more than females.
Habitat
Inhabit moist and arid savannas.
Description
Large, sturdy hogs with flat heads covered in protective bumps. Mostly bald, with sparse hair and a thicker mane on the back.
Behavior
Will "wallow" like other pigs when water is available.
Senses
Poor vision, but a good sense of smell and hearing.
Diet
Herbivores — grasses, roots, berries, bark, and occasionally carrion.
Communication
Produce a variety of vocal sounds, from loud grunts to squeaks and chirrups.
Gestation
170-175 days.
Birth
Litters of 1 to 4 young, weighing 1-2 lbs at birth.
Sexually Mature
18-20 months of age.
Life Span
Approximately 15-18 years in the wild. Lions, cheetahs, leopards, African wild dogs, and hyenas are all predators.
Social Structure
Travel in groups called sounders, each with 1 or 2 sows and young offspring. Male warthogs usually travel alone.
Did You Know?
Warthogs are adaptable and able to go long periods without water — as much as several months in the dry season.
Did You Know?
Warthogs can run up to 30 miles per hour.
Warthogs in Foreign Languages
Basquefakokero
Catalanfacoquer
Mandarinyēzhū
Danishvortesvinet
Dutchknobbelzwijn
Esperantoverukapro
Estoniantüugassiga
Finnishpahkasika
Frenchphacochère
GermanWarzenschwein
Greekfakóchoiros
Italianfacocero
Japaneseiboinoshishi
Navajobisóodi bizees diɡi'ii
Polishguziec
Russianborodávocnik
Spanishfacóquero
Swahilingiri
