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.

The warthog's main habitat is savannah and woodland, and fills in a niche that no other animal on the savannah does, as a small pig. The warthog is largely herbivorous, mainly feeding on grasses, roots, and other plant matter. However, the warthog may occasionally eat animal material, such as eggs and carrion. Warthogs may also eat dung, be it their own dung, another animal's, or that of another warthog. Warthogs tend to be somewhat placid, and non-territorial - a number of warthogs may live in the same range as each other, and several family ranges may live close by each other. However, the warthog will be protective if faced with a predator, such as a lion or leopard, and will use the tusk in an attempt to fight off the predator. However, as small prey, it's not unheard of for the warthog to fall to such predator. However, the warthog is also a fast runner, and more often than not tries to avoid run-ins with predators whenever possible - the tusks are to be used as a last resort. The warthog boar does not play a role in taking care of the young, and the mother sow will form a group known as a 'sounding' -