Warthog

Description

The warthog is an African wild pig that is practically devoid of hair with the exception of a long mane and a tuft at the end of the tail, which it raises as a warning signal to other members of its species when fleeing from danger. The two pairs of warts that it has on the face and the large tusks that both sexes have are fairly characteristic, although these tusks are more developed on the males. The tusks on the top jaw bend upwards and can reach between 25 cm and 60 cm in length, whereas the ones on the bottom jaw are considerably smaller but sharper.
It lives on the savannah and in open areas where the females and young form family groups of up to around twenty individuals, whereas the adult males are of more solitary habits. It uses dens dug out by other animals, mainly aardvarks (Orycteropus afer), for sleeping and protecting itself from predators and extreme temperatures, as the lack of hair and of a layer of subcutaneous fat can lead to problems of heat regulation.  It enters its dens backwards, facing out towards the opening to be able to fend off any intruders.
It feeds on a wide variety of vegetables, including agricultural crops, birds' eggs, small animals and even carrion. When it eats, it often walks on the wrist joints of its forelimbs and uses its snout to look for and dig out roots.
It is not a territorial animal and several groups can share resting, feeding or bathing areas.  During the mating season, both males and females are promiscuous and mate with different individuals. At these times, the males usually take part in ritual fights to get access to the females. In these fights, they do not normally use the sharp bottom tusks, which could cause serious damage, while the large warts in the suborbital region protects the eyes from the blows that the top tusks could cause.
The piglets are born after around 160 to 175 days, the longest gestation period of all pig species, and stay in the den for about six or seven weeks, afterwards accompanying the mother for up to two years.
Mortality during the first year of life reaches 50%, caused by extreme temperatures, illness and predators, although the females defend the young ferociously and even face lions, to which they can cause serious injuries. 
It is persecuted by man in many parts of its area of distribution due to the damages it causes to crops, due to its being a transmitter of diseases to domestic livestock, such as swine fever, and because it acts as a host to the tsetse fly, which transmits sleeping sickness to humans.