Phacochoerus africanus

Length: 105-152 cm (41-60")

Height: 55-85 cm (22-33")

Tail: 35-50 cm (14-20")

Weight: 45-75 kg (99-165 lb.) female, 60-150 kg (132-330 lb.) male

Status: common

Habitat: Warthogs are most common on alluvial soils where there is a mixture of grasslands and woodlands. They are fond of aardvark holes and are found in greater numbers where there are many such holes. They are common on most savannas. Unlike most pigs they can tolerate more arid and open areas. These are the most commonly seen pigs in Africa. They are absent only from deserts, rainforests and mountains above 3 000 meters (9840 feet).

Role: herbivore (omnivore)

Food: Warthogs graze during the rains, filling up on the rich young grasses. They favor the shorter species of grass. They will get down on their front knees and "walk" along in this awkward position as they feed. They will also eat the seedheads of growing grasses.

In the dry season they feed on the bases of leaves and the rhizomes (underground runners) that store nutrients. They will also eat fallen fruits, root through droppings for undigested food, and even scavenge. Soils are sometimes eaten for their mineral content.

Predators: lions, wild dogs, spotted hyena