COMMON WARTHOG Phacochoerus Africanus

COMMON WARTHOG Phacochoerus africanus German: Warzenschwein Breeding French: Phacochère Mating season: Throughout year in Equatorial belt but distinct peaks where Spanish: Facóquero clear wet and dry seasons. southern Africa birth peaks November – December Measurements Total length: 1,3 – 1,8 m Gestation: 150 – 182 days (168) (4.3‘ – 5.9‘) Number of young: 1 – 8 (2 – 3)

Tail: 45 cm (18”) Birth weight: 400 – 900 g (14 – 32 oz)

Shoulder Height: 60 – 70 cm Sexual maturity: 18 – 20 months (females may be pregnant at 12 months; (24” – 28”) males rarely breed before fourth year)

Weight Male 60 – 105 kg Longevity: Wild to 17 years; one captive to 18 years 9 months 132 – 231 lb) Female 45 – 70 kg (99 – 154 lb)

Common warthog Description sea-level to an altitude of about 3000 m Common warthog has overall skin colour (9,843 ft). They penetrate into semi-desert of grey with a sparse covering of bristle- areas along wooded water courses where like hairs and a mane of long, erectile hairs there are pools of water throughout the along neck and back. The colour of mane year. This includes parts of the Kalahari hairs varies from straw-brown to black and and Namib deserts, as well as the Sahel is raised when an animal is under stress. zone south of the Sahara. However, in Tufts of pale to white coloured whiskers these marginal habitats they occur at low may lie along the sides of the face. The only densities and in general animals tend to be African pig that raises its black-bristled smaller than their savanna counterparts. tail erect when running. Both sexes have Right front, 45 mm (1.7”) Right back, 47 mm (1.8”) prominent wart-like structures on face, Behaviour the boar has two pairs, the sow only one Warthogs mainly diurnal, but under pair. The large canine teeth, or tusks, certain circumstances will forage at night. are particularly well-developed in boar. Generally nights are spent in ground During the course of the 1970s common burrows excavated by other species, warthog were introduced onto the then such as aardvark and porcupine, but Andries Vosloo Kudu Reserve (now the on occasion they will dig their own, or Great Fish River Conservation Area), near shelter in road culverts where these are Grahamstown, in the belief that they once available. In hot weather they frequently occurred naturally in the Eastern Cape. wallow in water and mud where this Although claims from old written records is available. Adult sows, usually 1 – 3, and supposed skeletal remains are as yet and their young of the latest litter, form unverified. Whatever the situation was sounders but boars at about the age of warthog have now dispersed outside the two-years leave their birth sounder and Shot placement reserve for considerable distances on to form loose bachelor groups, or live alone. privately owned land and are commonly Sexually active boars are usually solitary offered as trophies and hunted for their and mix with sow sounders only when meat in the area. a sow is on heat. Although they do not establish territories boars fight vigorously Distribution for mating rights. Has a wide sub-Saharan range, with from 4 to 8 races recognized, but there is little, Food if any, difference in external appearance. Grass and grass roots make up the bulk It is present in 30 African countries and of their food and they often graze in a huntable as a trophy in 14 countries. “kneeling” position. New green grass growth is favoured during the rains, but Conservation standing grass roots/rhizomes are favoured during Common over much of its range but the dry season. They will also feed on drought, habitat modification and over- berries, fruits and tree bark. Although they Rifles and Ammunition hunting have caused a few local extinctions rarely take carrion this has been recorded. Suggested Calibre: .264/6.5 mm too light, favours 7 mm upwards. and population reductions. Bullet: Expanding bullet. Sights: Medium-range variable scope. Habitat Hunting Conditions: Expect shots at short to medium Open grass and woodland savannas, ranges. from low to high rainfall areas, and from

25 Common Warthog

The common warthog, especially the boar, is the most sought after African wild pig trophy

The tusks (tushes) of the common warthog can be impressive trophies

Warthogs are frequent mud-wallowers The warthog boar has two pairs of facial warts

24 Game Animals of the World