Common Warthog
Phacochoerus africanus
Silhouette: Steven Traver · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassMammalia (Mammals)
- OrderArtiodactyla (Even-toed Ungulates and Cetaceans)
- FamilySuidae (Suids)
- GenusPhacochoerus (Warthogs)
- SpeciesPhacochoerus africanus (Common Warthog)
About the Common Warthog
The common warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) is a wild member of the pig family (Suidae) found in grassland, savanna, and woodland in sub-Saharan Africa. In the past, it was commonly treated as a subspecies of P. aethiopicus, but today that scientific name is restricted to the desert warthog of northern Kenya, Somalia, and eastern Ethiopia.
The common warthog is a medium-sized species, with a head-and-body length ranging from 0.9 to 1.5 m (2 ft 11 in to 4 ft 11 in), and shoulder height from 63.5 to 85 cm (25.0 to 33.5 in). Females, at 45 to 75 kg (99 to 165 lb), are smaller and lighter than males, at 60 to 150 kg (130 to 330 lb). A warthog is identifiable by the two pairs of tusks protruding from the mouth and curving upwards. The lower pair, which is far shorter than the upper pair, becomes razor-sharp by rubbing against the upper pair every time the mouth is opened and closed. The upper canine teeth can grow to 25.5 cm (10.0 in) long and have a wide elliptical cross section, being about 4.5 cm (1.8 in) deep and 2.5 cm (0.98 in) wide. A tusk will curve 90° or more from the root, and will not lie flat on a table, as it curves somewhat backwards as... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Common Warthog in Tsavo East National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Tsavo East National Park
Desert Warthog
Phacochoerus aethiopicus
East African Giraffe
Giraffa tippelskirchi
Impala
Aepyceros melampus
Hartebeest
Alcelaphus buselaphus
Grant's Gazelle
Nanger granti
Waterbuck
Kobus ellipsiprymnus
African Buffalo
Syncerus caffer
East African Oryx
Oryx beisa
Lesser Kudu
Tragelaphus imberbis
Gerenuk
Litocranius walleri
Common Hippopotamus
Hippopotamus amphibius
Common Eland
Taurotragus oryx
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Common Warthog in Tsavo East National Park?
About 20% of wildlife watchers report a Common Warthog sighting in Tsavo East National Park, based on 23 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Common Warthog in Tsavo East National Park?
August has the highest sighting rate for Common Warthog in Tsavo East National Park in our monthly data.