WARTHOG

Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus sundevalli) typically refers to a type of wild pig found in Africa. They have a distinctive appearance with a large flat head, warty growths on their face, two pairs of large, upward-curving tusks emerging from the sides of their snouts and a sparse, bristly coat. Warthogs are known for their long legs and tail that stands upright when they run. Although they look tough, warthogs are shy animals, retreating into burrows to escape danger. 

Distribution: Warthogs are widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa.

Size: A medium size ungulate. 

Weight: 140 – 300lb / 60 – 100 kg

Shoulder Height: 28 – 30’’ / 71 – 76 cm

Tusks: Both sexes have tusks. Males have thicker and longer upper tusks than females. The tusks can grow long and curve first outwards and then upwards and inwards. They are mainly used for digging. The lower tusks are much shorter and sharper, these are mainly used for fighting.   

Habitat: Bush and savannah country, especially burnt out marshlands. Prefers to be near water and watering places suitable for wallowing. They feed on grasses, roots, and tubers.

Habits: Warthogs are diurnal animals, active mainly during the day. They spend much of their time foraging, often kneeling on their front legs to feed. They live in family groups called sounders, usually led by a female, while males tend to be more solitary. Warthogs seek refuge in burrows, which they enter rear-first to defend against predators. Despite their tough appearance, warthogs are shy and will flee quickly when threatened, often raising their tails like flags as they run. They rely on water sources for wallowing, which helps regulate body temperature and fend off parasites.

Hunting Tips: Very common in certain areas. Due to the excessive use of their tusks it can be difficult to find a trophy book animal. The best area to hunt warthogs is on sandy soils where their tusks are not ground away on the many rocks found in some areas. Keep watch at waterholes around midday when the Warthogs often emerge to drink and wallow.

Trophy Information

Good Tusk Length: 6 - 8’’  

Record Book

SCI Min. : 29

SCI Min. Bow : 26 

Rowland Ward Min. : 13 

World Record : 24 

SCI Measurement Method: 12  

Rowland Ward Measurement Method: 5 

Species & Subspecies Information

Species: 2. Common Warthog and Desert Warthog.  

Subspecies: 4. Northern or Nolan Warthog, Eritrean Warthog, East African Warthog and Southern Warthog.  

Other Pig Species: Bushpig found in South Africa. The Giant Forest Hog and Red River Hogs occur further north in Africa.