Warthog (Phacococerus aethiopicus) feeding. This animal,a relative of the pig,is found on the savannahs and plains of sub-Saharan Africa. It prefers to be near a water source,which it uses for wallowing in as well as drinking. It is mainly herbivorous; feeding on grasses,roots,tubers and berries,but will take carrion. Females and their young live in small groups,while males are solitary. Warthogs,which can measure 1.2 metres in length,can run at up to 50 kilometres per hour and generally run from a predator instead of fighting. They often hide in old aardvark dens. Photographed in Vaalbos,South Africa |