habitat_narrative
Terrestrial
The habitat preferences of the Desert Warthog remain poorly understood (Grubb and d'Huart 2013, De Jong and Butynski 2014). Locality records, combined with several surveys in Kenya, indicate preference for low altitude semi-arid areas with sandy soils. Vegetation types range from xerophylous bush and open woodland, to sub-desert steppe. Absent from forest (d'Huart and Grubb 2001, Grubb and d'Huart 2013, De Jong and Butynski 2014, De Jong et al. in prep.). Typically avoids hilly terrain and areas with a mean annual rainfall < 100 mm or > 750 mm (Grubb and d'Huart 2013, De Jong et al. in prep.). Mainly occupies areas with mean annual temperature > 20°C, but in north Somalia occurs where mean annual temperature is as low as about 16°C (De Jong et al. in prep.). The Desert Warthog is dependent on surface water, nutritious grass, shade, and shelter (Grubb and d'Huart 2010, T. Butynski and Y. de Jong pers. obs.). It grazes predominantly on nutritious grasses (Nyafu 2009, Y. de Jong and T. Butynski pers. obs.). The diet is poorly known, but comprised of grass leaves, bulbs, and tubers (De Jong and Butynski 2014), and expected to include rhizomes, fruits, invertebrates, and leaves from forbs and woody plants (T. Butynski, J.P. dâHuart and Y. de Jong pers. obs.).