Common Warthog

Facts

IUCN LEAST CONCERN (LC)

Facts about this animal

The Common Warthog reaches a head-body length of 90 to 150 cm, tail length is 25 to 50 cm. They weight 50 to 150 kg, with males being heavier than females. They are usually black or brown coloured. The Common Warthog is sparsely haired, except for a distinct mane of long stiff hairs on the neck and shoulders. The face is flattened and bears one or two pairs of warts and, in both sexes, well developed tusks.

With the exception of mature males, all warthogs live in small family units. They are largely diurnal and spend the night in burrows, often using aardvark holes. They are predominantly grazers, but will eat a wide range of vegetable matter, including some agricultural crops. The gestation period in this species is about 172 days; average litter size being 3 with a range of 1 - 7

Did you know?
that human persecution in reprisal for crop-raiding, or overhunting for meat, is probably the most important threat to the survival of this species? Warthogs are easy to hunt and provide a large carcass. In non-Muslim countries, their meat is highly valued, both for local consumption and for trade in city markets, though in many countries, particularly in the west and north, warthogs benefit from the religious taboo relating to the consumption of pork.

Factsheet
Class	MAMMALIA
Order	ARTIODACTYLA
Suborder	NONRUMINANTIA
Family	SUIDAE
Name (Scientific)	Phacochoerus africanus
Name (English)	Common Warthog
Name (French)	Phacochère commun
Name (German)	Warzenschwein
Name (Spanish)	Facóquero
Local names	Afrikaans: Vlakvaark kiSwahili: Ngiri oshiVambo: oShingulu otjiHerero: oMbinda seSotho: Kolobe, Kolobe-moru, Mokgesi
CITES Status	Not listed
CMS Status	Not listed

Photo Copyright by
D. Gordon E. Robertson

Distribution

Distribution
Range	Sub-saharan Africa outside forested areas.
Habitat	Open and wooded savannas, grass-steppe and semi-deserts.
Wild population	250.000 (1999) (Red ListIUCN 2011)
Zoo population	347 reported to ISIS (2007)

In the Zoo

How this animal should be transported

For air transport, Container Note 74 of the IATA Live Animals Regulations, should be followed.

Find this animal on ZooLex

Photo Copyright by
Patrick Giraud

Why do zoos keep this animal

Although not beauties, warthogs have an interesting look, are very active during the opening hours of zoos, and are therefore very appealing to the public. This makes them good ambassadors for African wildlife.

How this animal should be kept

An outdoor enclosure of no less than 200 m² is required for up to five adults, for each additional adult at least 20 m² should be added. There should be some shelter to protect the animals from intense sunlight and inclement weather. The soil should allow for rooting and wallowing, and there should be some tree trunks for chafing. Decoration consisting of larger rocks, stems or branches is well used for sketching, hiding or playing. If in panic, babirusas can develop considerable strength or jump up to 2 m. Therefore some thought should be given to their enclosure bounds.

In temperate and cold climatic zones, an indoor enclosure of at least 30 m² is required where a temparature of at least 15 ºC should be maintained. A partly floor heating can be advantageous for litters born during winter time. A thick straw bedding is suitable. In addition, there should be separation dens of at least 4 m² for pregnant females, females with piglets and incompatible individuals.

Their main diet consists of preferably grass, vegetables, fruit, silage, leaves and hay but also protein such as cooked meat or eggs. Fresh drinking water should be permanently available.