Discover

Today
Animals
Explore
Archive
Search

Use it

Classroom
Resources
Field lab
Quiz
Saved

Trust

Methodology
Sources
Corrections
Accessibility
Contributors

Details

About
Contact
Privacy
Terms
Newsletter

Animal profile

Common Warthog

Phacochoerus africanus

MammaliaOpen savanna, grassland and lightly wooded country with burrows availableLeast Concern

Field profile

The common warthog is a grey, sparsely haired wild pig with prominent facial protuberances and curving tusks in both sexes. It is largely diurnal and shelters at night in burrows, usually dug by aardvarks. It grazes short grass, often kneeling on padded wrists to feed.

Scope note

This is an editorial profile, not a diagnostic field-identification guide or a substitute for current conservation assessments. Follow the cited sources on each fact for the evidence trail.

Published field notes

2025-03-08

Common Warthog

A warthog reverses into its burrow

Warthogs sleep in holes they do not dig, usually abandoned aardvark burrows. An adult backs in tail first, leaving its tusks facing the entrance, so anything following it down meets the sharp end.

Read with evidence →

Common Warthog | Daily Animal Facts