Counting on Africa
Educational Childrens Books Publisher
Warthog
Trotting across the savanna with its tail held high like a flagpole, the warthog is one of Africa's most charming and resilient characters. While its face, covered in large, bumpy "warts" and two pairs of impressive curved tusks, might look a little scary at first, this member of the pig family is usually a peaceful plant-eater.
Those warts are actually thick pads of skin that protect its face during fights, and its tusks are vital tools for digging up roots and defending itself from predators. Warthogs are famous for their clever habit of backing into abandoned aardvark or porcupine burrows to sleep, keeping their tusks facing the entrance, ready to guard against any unwelcome visitors!
DID YOU KNOW?
A Sign on Their Behind
When a warthog runs away from danger, its skinny tail stands straight up, letting its family members easily follow the "flag" as they all dash to safety.
Wallow Lovers
To escape the heat and bothersome bugs, warthogs love a good mud bath! They will roll and wallow in muddy puddles, which acts like a natural sunscreen and insect repellent, coating their skin in a cool, protective layer.
Special Tools
A warthog's knees are padded with tough, calloused skin. This clever adaptation lets them drop to their knees comfortably, giving them better leverage to dig and root for food with their snouts.
Warthogs live in burrowed out termite mounds.
Warthogs are a member of the Pig family.
Baby Warthogs are called Piglets.
Warthogs live in burrowed out termite mounds.
