Vital Statistics
Latin name: Phacochoerus aethiopicus
Height: 60-70cm Weight: up to 80kg Breeding: 1-8 piglets

Warthogs have been rather unfairly described as "incarnations of hideous dreams" (Lydekker, 1908) and "the most astonishing objects that have ever disgraced nature" (Anon). True, their weepy eyes, facial warts, up-curving tusks and piggy snout may not be appeal to everyone, but the barrel-like bodies, skinny legs and behavioural quirks make warthogs real bush characters. Warthog eyes are set high so that they can see over the grass whilst grazing. Scent glands beside the eyes give that ‘soggy' look, while the warts - which are actually fatty growths - reduce facial damage from tusks when rival males spar for a sow's affections. The tusks (enlarged upper canines) may also be used to extract grass rhizomes, tubers and the like, but the hard flexible disk-like snout is the preferred rooting implement.

Warthogs do their rooting while walking on padded knees, the ‘calluses' being present pre-birth. During feeding, a sounder (a family of one of more sows and their current broods) keeps in contact with soft grunts but ups the tempo or lets out porcine squeals when alarmed. Then, with long erectile head-to-hip mane flowing and tuft-tipped tails ramrod vertical, they set off in single file at a brisk Prussian trot. Fondly called the ‘Kenya Express' or ‘Kalahari Ferrari', warthogs can top 56km/h. Sensing real danger they storm for their nearest burrow, usually commandeered from an antbear or aardvark. The piglets dive in head first but adults pivot ‘polo pony style' and reverse in. Hyenas, now facing a ferocious hog with razor-sharp tusks, generally give up the hunt, but lions will sometimes try digging out the pigs or ambushing the entrance. When the warthog exits, suddenly, explosively and with slashing tusks, life gets rather exciting.

These "astonishing objects" are no disgrace to the grasslands and semi arid bush of sub-Saharan Africa.