habitat_narrative

Terrestrial

They inhabit moist and dry African savannah grasslands, open bushlands and woodlands (Cumming 2013), with varied climatic conditions across the continent, from the desert-like conditions of the Sahel zone (southern parts of Niger, Chad and Sudan) to the subtropical conditions of central Africa (Kenya and Tanzania). Within the assessment region, it occupies a wide range of habitat, especially open woodland, shrubland, short grassland and floodplains (Skinner & Chimimba 2005). Its natural distribution corresponds with the Savannah biome, which is demarcated by altitudes from sea level to 2000 m, annual rainfall averages from 235–1,000 mm, diverse soil types and a temperate to tropical climate. It has been introduced to areas where the main vegetation types are primarily grassland, thicket and Nama Karoo. Although it usually occurs within range of perennial surface water, it may be the least water-dependent of all the suids and possibly obtains the majority of its required moisture from the food it consumes (Harris & Cerling 2002). Despite this, they readily drink and wallow when water is available. However, the evidence that warthog may be independent of water is anecdotal and based on occasional sightings where observers assumed surface water was not available. Warthogs will go down burrows to reach water below the surface in apparently waterless areas (D. Cumming pers. obs. 1968).

Common Warthogs have potentially high reproductive rates, combined with a polyandrous mating system and exhibit little territorial behaviour, as males actively compete for mating opportunities and not habitat. They typically reach sexual maturity around 18–24 months, but juvenile females less than 12 months of age have been found pregnant (Somers 1992a). They can reproduce aseasonally in high rainfall regions where resources are plentiful, but have distinct farrowing peaks in October and April in regions with a marked dry and wet season, such as South Africa. Litter sizes are usually between one and four but as many as eight have been recorded (Child et al. 1968). Average litter sizes that have been recorded are 3.7 (Child et al. 1968), 2.6 (Boshe 1981), 3.3 (Mason 1982) and 4 (Somers & Penzhorn 1992). Adoption may occur when a female with young is lost to predation or disease and another closely related lactating female within the sounder raises the young as her own (Plesner-Jensen et al. 1999). Both sexes are considered strongly philopatric with sounders belonging to clans of related individuals within a population (Cumming 1975; Muwanika et al. 2007; White & Cameron 2009). They are non-territorial and non-migratory animals who have large home ranges in their native habitat.

Ecosystem and cultural services: Common Warthogs are considered a pioneer species as they are one of the first species to inhabit and utilise previously disturbed habitats, potentially promoting nutrient turnover in soils and grasses and assisting in their restoration (Treydte et al. 2006a, 2006b). They have economical potential as a profitable species in terms of recreational and trophy hunting, eco-tourism and meat production. Considered a popular bushmeat species, they are hunted and utilised by local communities for subsistence and readily exterminated locally by hunting with domestic dogs. Local markets also trade in warthog ivory, obtained from the large canines (formal term for tusks in this family).