Class: MAMMALIA

Order: ARTIODACTYLA

Family: SUIDAE

Genus: PHACOCHOERUS

The most glamorous member of the animal kingdom? perhaps not, but don't let that distract from the fact that warthogs are not picky eaters, and serve an important role in their ecosystem.

An average-sized pig, native to Africa, that is classified as two species. These are the Common Warthog, found throughout Africa in a number of habitats, especially savannah and woodland, and the Desert Warthog, which prefers more dry habitats. The two are thought to have diverged some 3 million years ago, and the two appear rather similar in build and colouring. The original warthog may have appeared some 7 million years ago, from an ancestor it shared with the more obscure Giant Forest Hog.

The most apparent feature of the warthog's appearance may be its interestingly-shaped head - the 'wart' in 'warthog' comes from the four prominent facial warts that are seen in the males. The snout too is of an interesting shape, in that it too points outwards, and supports two tusks in males. The female warthog lacks said warts and tusks. The snout is also wide. The warthog is mainly covered with short hairs, but the male sports a large mane on its back. The legs are short for running, and the overall build resembles that of a typical wild pig.

A behind view of a typical warthog boar.