By Samantha Smith (University of Vermont)
Botswana Student Program, Spring 2013
The Warthog!
Warthog running, always with their tails up! (photo by Susie)
Recently I’ve become interested in warthogs, those comical animals portrayed in animated movies like The Lion King after my brother proclaimed that Pepper, our beloved Miniature Schnauzer, had transformed into one! I enthusiastically embraced this new moniker, since my limited knowledge of those loud, snorting, animals with rotund bellies and prominent snouts seemed to perfectly describe Pepper in his old age.
I was thrilled to learn that Northern Botswana has a robust population, so I decided to further investigate this species to be able to tell Ben (and Pepper) about them in the wild! Warthogs are grey or brown pigs which quickly take on the color of the mud they wallow in. They have short, sparse hair and a long mane, as well as a tail that’s completely naked except for a tuft of hair on the end. I’ve actually never thought about why a warthog is called a warthog, which in writing sounds ridiculous. For me, I think it’s one of those things that seems so obvious, you just completely overlook it. Anyway, warthogs are warthogs because of their pair of warts, or thickened skin they have on either side of their mouths. Males are even more attractive because they have an extra set of warts under each eye, measuring about 15 cm long. Both sexes also have tusks, which is another way to tell them apart: male tusks grow outward and female tusks curl over their nose. Both sexes have scent glands in their tusks as well. In terms of stature, male warthogs are 65-84 cm in height and weigh up to 82 kg, while females are smaller at 45-71 cm in height and weigh 65 kg. Warthogs are found in both Northern and Southern savannah grassland habitat and avoid forests. In terms of obtaining food, in the wet season they graze, while in the dry season they feed on underground rhizomes, sycamore figs, and wild rice using their tough snouts. You can tell warthogs have been feeding in the area if you come across piles of upturned dirt and shallow holes in the ground. They feed in both the early morning and evening, and although primarily herbivorous, they also eat carrion or eggs.
Warthogs are diurnal species, with males sometimes staying out a hour or so longer than females because they can better defend themselves against lions and leopards, their two main predators. They inhabit aardvark burrows, which proves dangerous when lions often station themselves at the entrance and ambush them.
Warthogs live in groups called sounders, consisting of an adult male, adult female, and her offspring. They can also live in bachelor groups or maternity groups, and less often as solitary animals. Socially, warthogs are matriarchal and sounders can include up to 16 individuals but more often about 6. Both females and males are sexually mature after 1.5 years. They are also observed grooming each other frequently.
In terms of behavior, dominance is displayed by strutting, grunting,and growling, while submissive behavior involves a lowered head and flat ears. Most warthogs are known to squeal and bolt when threatened, running with their tails straight up as a warning signal. Fighting is common between males – the tusks and snout are used for defense, which probably helps them live for up to 18 years in the bush!