Warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus) are among my favorite animals to spot on safari. I dare you not to smile when you see a warthog trot, with tail straight up in the air accentuating its little muscular behind. I'm not sure why safari companies don't feature them as a main attraction, perhaps they're not quite pretty or rare enough. As with many things in life, the more you know about them, the more fascinating they get. Here are some facts about the warthog...
10 Warthog Facts
- Warthogs are named for large wart-like protrusions on their foreheads (some with white hair growing out them)
- Warthogs are commonly found throughout sub-Saharan Africa
- Warthogs can jump
- Warthogs generally live up to 15 years
- Warthogs sleep in burrows (which they often borrow from aardvarks) and always enter them in reverse
- Lions really like to eat warthogs
- Female warthogs and their young live in family groups called sounders
- Warthogs have poor eyesight
- Warthogs graze on short grass by kneeling down on their little padded, hairy knees
- Male warthogs can weigh up to 250 lbs
More About Warthogs:
Read More: Top 10 Animals to See on Safari in Africa l Baby Animals on Safari
Warthog at Kruger National Park - © Getty Images/Anthony Bannister
I think the reason why safari companies don’t feature warthogs as a “main attraction” is because they (warthogs) are generally very ugly. The fact that they are too abundant may also be a factor. Many people also consider them as the epitome of stupidity: a predator (e.g lion) may attempt to kill a warthog, the warthog outruns it, then after about 50 meters, forgets that it was in danger, and starts grazing as if nothing happened.
That said however, they are fascinating animals to watch. Kenya’s Lake Nakuru national park has plenty of them, although they are found in almost all other parks and reserves in Kenya.