Warthog is an African pig with large, curved tusks protruding from its huge, flattened head. These tusks may be as much as 2 feet (61 centimeters) long. Between the tusks and the eyes are three pairs of large “warts” from which the hog gets its name. The coarsely grained, pale gray hide of the warthog is thinly sprinkled with stiff, brownish-gray hairs. A thin mane of long, bristly hair hangs over its back and head. A typical large boar may weigh over 200 pounds (91 kilograms) and measure about 30 inches (76 centimeters) high at the shoulder.
The common warthog lives in dry, sandy country from southern Africa northward to the region just south of the Sahara. It prefers open forest with plenty of thickets for protection. The warthog travels in small family groups. Old boars, however, usually live by themselves. The sow may produce as many as six to eight young at a time. Ordinarily, only half that number are born at one time. Warthogs often enlarge and use burrows made by other animals. They eat roots, plants, birds’ eggs, and even small mammals.
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