Warthogs are medium-sized wild members of the Suidae family. It has a stocky body covered with coarse hair and two pairs of tusks.
Warthogs are found in sub-Saharan Africa, mainly in savannas and grasslands. Their tough fur allows them to survive where few other animals can.
Warthogs are omnivores, eating grass, small mammals, birds and tree roots. They use their tusks to dig out tubers and bulbs from the soil.
When threatened by predators such as lions or leopards, warthogs will flee as quickly as possible. If no escape route is available, the warthog will defend itself by baring its tusks and charging at the attacker.
In the footage, however, the warthog froze as two lions charged at it. Since it cannot run or defend itself, the lion has a better chance of preying on it relentlessly.
Adaptation of warthogs
Warthogs have a distinctive appearance with a long snout, short legs, and a bulky body. When they walk or run, they lower their heads to the ground. As a result, they can see predators approaching from behind as they hunt for roots, bulbs, tubers and fallen fruit.
Warthogs have poor eyesight but excellent hearing and smell. They use their sense of smell to find food, which may be buried in the ground or hidden in piles of leaves. They can dig roots with their powerful front legs. They also use their tusks to dig the ground when their legs can’t reach far enough.
The warthog’s tough skin protects it from many predators, including lions and hyenas. It also uses its sharp tusks to fend off other animals when it feels threatened.
Warthogs live in groups called callers, usually consisting of one male and up to 10 young females. Occasionally, two or three other males may temporarily join a depth finder so they can stay safe from predators as they traverse unfamiliar territory in search of food or water.
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How to Get Rid of Warthogs in the Garden
Warthogs are not the most aggressive animals. They are usually shy and will avoid any human presence. However, they are very territorial and may attack if they feel threatened.
Here are some things you can do to keep warthogs out of your garden:
keep compost away
Your compost pile can be a food source for warthogs. Keep it away from the house. If a warthog finds an easy meal, it will come back again and again.
don’t leave food out
As mentioned earlier, food scraps can attract warthogs to your property. So don’t leave any edible crumbs on the outside.
fence your garden
Put a fence around your vegetable patch if you have one, or grow your plants in containers where they can be moved at night.
Hang the feeder on the tree
If you want to feed the birds but don’t want to attract warthogs, hang the feeders from trees instead of placing them on the ground.
remove holes or crevices
Warthogs like to burrow, so make sure there are no holes or gaps under sheds or other outbuildings where they could enter your property from under the fence.
Next:
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- Watch two male lions play hide and seek over dinner
I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.
