A Common Warthog in the weeds, Tanzania.
If the Superb Starling is the gemstone of Kilimanjaro (see our post here), the Common Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) is the ultimate sidekick. Pumba (or Pumbaa in Swahili, meaning “foolish” or “carefree”) isn’t winning any beauty pageants, but he’s got chops. He’s perfectly adapted for the rugged African bush.
Built for the Scuffle
Those namesake “warts” aren't skin growths—they’re thick pads of fibrous tissue designed to protect a male’s face during tusky tusks-to-tusk combat.
The Gear: They carry two sets of tusks. The upper ones curve impressively, but it’s the razor-sharp lower tusks that do the real work when defending against predators.
“Tail Up, Knees Down”
Warthogs have two signature moves that make them a fan favorite:
The Radio Antenna: When they bolt, their tails fly straight up. It’s a high-speed “follow me” signal so piglets don't get lost in the tall golden grass.
The Prayer Position: Because of their short necks and long legs, they actually kneel on their wrists to graze on short grass or dig for delicious tubers.
Savanna Spa Day
You’ll rarely find a clean warthog. They are obsessed with mud wallowing, which serves as a natural sunscreen and parasite repellent. It’s a practical look for a practical animal.
Quirky Pumba
You really need to see these little “tanks” in person to appreciate their speed and quirky personality.
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