Warthogs

Warthogs belong to the scientific family Suidae, making them cousins to domestic pigs and wild boars!

The scientific name for warthogs is Phacochoerus africanus, which means “African wart-pig”! They have funny bumps on their faces that help protect them, making them special among pigs!

A group of warthogs is called a sounder, and they usually have 4–8 members in their family group!

Warthogs are mammals from the class Mammalia, just like humans, and they feed their babies milk!

Female warthogs are called sows, males are called boars, and babies are called piglets!

Adult warthogs can weigh between 120–250 pounds (54-113 kilograms), about the same as a large adult human!

Warthogs can run up to 30 miles per hour (48 kilometers per hour), which is faster than the fastest human runner!

A warthog’s tusks can grow up to 10 inches (25 centimeters) long, about the length of a school ruler!

Warthogs have special pad-like growths on their wrists that help them kneel down to graze for food!

The warts on a warthog’s face aren’t really warts – they’re thick pads of skin that protect them during fights!

Warthogs have bristly hair all over their bodies that acts like a shield against scratches and bites!

A warthog’s tail can stand straight up like an antenna, which helps their babies follow them through tall grass!

Warthogs have specialized front teeth that can grow up to 6 inches (15 centimeters) long and curve out of their mouths!

A warthog’s eyes are positioned high on their head, allowing them to watch for predators even while grazing!

Warthogs can close their nostrils completely to keep out dust and insects while digging!

Warthogs often enter their burrows backward so they can defend against predators with their sharp tusks!

Young warthogs play-fight with their siblings to practice important survival skills!

Warthogs use old aardvark burrows as homes instead of digging their own!

Warthogs take mud baths to cool off and protect their skin from sunburn and insects!

Warthogs have excellent memory and can remember the locations of water sources during dry seasons!

Female warthogs live in groups with their young, while adult males usually live alone!

Warthogs communicate through grunts, snorts, and squeals that each have different meanings!

Warthogs have a special friendship with birds called oxpeckers, who eat parasites off their skin!

When scared, a warthog can run away with its tail standing straight up like a flag!

Warthogs are most active during the day, unlike many other African animals!

Warthogs live in grasslands, savannas, and woodlands across sub-Saharan Africa!

A warthog’s burrow can be up to 15 feet (5 meters) long!

Warthogs can survive in temperatures ranging from freezing to over 104°F (40°C)!

Warthogs don’t need to drink water every day — they can get moisture from the plants they eat!

During dry seasons, warthogs can dig up to 8 inches (20 centimeters) deep to find roots and tubers!

Baby warthogs are born after a pregnancy of about 170 days — that’s almost 6 months!

Newborn warthog piglets weigh only about 2 pounds (0.9 kilograms) — about the same as a pineapple!

Warthog mothers can have between 2–8 piglets in one litter!

Baby warthogs can run with their mother just hours after being born!

Young warthogs start eating plants when they’re about three weeks old, but continue drinking milk for four months!

Warthog piglets stay in their burrow for the first few weeks of life to stay safe from predators!

Warthogs can live up to 15 years in the wild and up to 20 years in zoos!

Young male warthogs leave their family group when they’re about 2 years old!

Female warthogs usually stay with their mothers until they’re ready to have their own babies!

Warthog mothers use their tusks to dig up soft roots for their babies to eat!

Warthogs are omnivores, but mostly eat plants — about 90% of their diet is vegetation!

A warthog can spend up to 7 hours each day just looking for food!

Warthogs love to eat grass, and their special snouts help them dig up roots and tubers!

Warthogs love to eat grass, and their special snouts help them dig up roots and tubers!

Warthogs sometimes eat insects and even carrion (dead animals) when plant food is scarce!

A warthog’s tough snout works like a shovel to dig up food from the ground!

Warthogs have special teeth that can grind up tough plant materials that other animals can’t eat!

Adult warthogs can eat up to 5 pounds (2.3 kilograms) of food each day!

Warthogs often kneel on their front legs while grazing, shuffling forward on their wrists!

Warthogs have a special bacteria in their stomachs that helps them digest tough plant material!