The warthog is a wild member of the pig family. This medium-sized species has fur that is brown or black and a mane running down its spine. 

Warthogs measure from 2 to 4 feet in length and about 2 feet in shoulder height. Females weigh anywhere from 99 to 165 pounds. While males are much larger, weighing from 130 to 330 pounds!

Warthogs have large heads with two sets of tusks coming out of their mouths. The lower pair is much shorter than the upper pair and rubs against each other, causing the lower pair to become very sharp. The upper pair can grow 10 inches long at almost 90° from the root. With the bottom tusk being so sharp, these tusks can cause severe wounds against predators. 

Warthogs live in both moist and arid savannas, grasslands, and woodlands. They tend to occupy countries in Africa such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and others.

Warthogs try and avoid places like rainforests, mountains, and deserts. They are not territorial animals but do occupy a home range. Warthogs can normally be found in burrows made by other animals.

The warthog is the only pig species that has adapted to grazing. As an omnivore, warthogs eat fungi, insects, grasses, fruits, roots, and more. Their diets change based on the time of year. The wet season allows them to graze on grasses more often than in the dry season. During the dry season, they tend to eat roots, bulbs, and plant stems.

Warthogs have calloused skin on their knees so they are able to kneel on them while eating. This allows them to be closer to the ground and keeps them from hurting their knees. They also are powerful diggers, using their feet, snout, and tusks to dig for food.

Warthogs are seasonal breeders, which means they only breed successfully at certain times of the year. Females warthogs are pregnant around 5 to 6 months. Before giving birth, they will leave their families to stay in another hole.

The female will give birth to a farrow (litter of pigs) ranging from 2 to 8 piglets, however, they mostly consist of 4. Remaining in the hole for several weeks, the female will nurse her young and keep a lookout for danger. After about 2 to 3 weeks, the piglets will begin foraging themselves and are weaned from their mother by 6 months.

Male warthogs prefer to live without females unless they are mating. The groups usually consist of a female warthog and her young, sometimes with another female she may be related to, as well as her young. Adult males, however, live alone.

Female warthogs will abandon their older young right before giving birth. These older piglets will join with another female before going out on their own.

Warthogs have poor eyesight, leaving them to rely on their amazing sense of smell and hearing.

In the face of danger, a warthog’s first instinct is to flee and can reach up to 30 mph, running with their tails straight up in the air!