NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



with the formidable tusks which these pigs possess. 

 An old boar in combat is usually a match for a 

 Leopard, and the latter is never over-anxious to 

 attack one. 



When running, the Wart Hog, unlike its cousin 

 the Bush Pig, holds its head up and its tail erect. 

 When progressing at a swift trot, the tufted tip 

 of the tail droops over and wobbles about ; but 

 when standing on the alert, the tip of the tail is 

 perpendicular or nearly so. 



Wart Hogs have keen senses of smell and hearing, 

 but the eyesight is comparatively poor. 



Sometimes old boars are observed feeding with 

 Zebras and Antelopes, but they are usually at a 

 little distance from them, and not in the midst of 

 the troop. 



The flesh of this animal varies in palatability 

 according to age and the season of the year. When 

 the animal is old or lean from lack of sufficient food, 

 the flesh is rather dry and tasteless ; but when food 

 is abundant during the rainy season, the flesh re- 

 sembles the best pork. 



The name Wart Hog is derived from the presence 

 of two pairs of large wart-like excrescences situated 

 on the sides of the face between the tusks and the 

 eyes, and below the eyes. 



The body is sparsely covered with coarse bristles, 

 except along the middle of the back, where they are 

 abundant and about a foot in length. The pre- 

 vailing colour varies from blackish to pale brown. 



