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Warthog
(Latin = Phacochoerus aethiopicus, Afrikaans = Vlakvark, German = Warzenschwein)

Numbers: Very high

Weight > 44 - 104 kg (and more)

97 - 229 lb.

Shoulder height > 60 - 75 cm

24 - 28 in.

Pregnancy days > 167 – 175

African Record for upper tusks = 24 in (Lower tusks average about 6 inches)

Found abundantly in the Bushveld, the warmest (northern) parts of the Northern Province, especially the Limpopo valley, as well as in the Lowveld areas of Mpumalanga, and in the north eastern part of KwaZulu-Natal.

This is one of the daytime wanderers, often seen in the open savanna, preferably not too far from the waterholes. It feeds on grass, but also likes meat, fruits, or digging out plants for its watery roots. It sometimes goes into a kneeling position to eat. It isn’t as hairy as the bushpig, but its colour may vary, depending upon which waterhole was the last to have a mudbath in. Very, very typical, is the straight upright tail, as an antenna, when it is running. Maybe it serves as a checkpoint to the smaller ones if a sudden flight is necessary. They pose much the same danger to a hunter as does the bushpig, although they might be somewhat more oblige to move away. They form family groups that sticks together, although older bears would be alone. They hear and smell good, but doesn’t see all that sharp. They may easily hide in a antbear hole, but will move in in reverse, so that a pursuing dog will have a nightmare to escape its incredibly dangerous tusks. They can run very fast (some say at 55km/h). Their usual enemies, like the lion, leopards, cheetahs and wild dogs all have some respect for its vicious and able power to defend himself.