Warthog

Warthog
(larger image)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Suidae Genus: Phacochoerus]] species: aethiopicus
Binomial name
Phacochoerus aethiopicus

Warthogs (Phacochoerus aethiopicus) are wild members of the pig family that live in the plains and open woodlands of Africa. They are the only widely recognised species in their genus, though some authors divide them into two species. On that classification, P. africanus is the Common Warthog and P. aethiopicus is the Cape or Somali Warthog.

Warthogs are identifiable by the two pairs of tusks on their head, which are used as weapons against predators. They eat grass, berries, bark, roots, and carrion.

They range in size from 0.9 to 1.5 metres (2.9-4.9 feet) in length and 50 to 150 kg (110-330 pounds) in weight.