WAETHOG 145 



The female is smaller and has much smaller warts. The 

 weight of a sow 7 years old in the Zoo is 100 lbs. At 

 present the Warthog ranges from Zululand through the 

 Eastern and Northern Transvaal, and Portuguese East 

 Africa, to Rhodesia and beyond. It inhabits somewhat 

 open well-watered country, feeding on the plains in small 

 herds or family parties in the evenings and early morn- 

 ings, and retiring to thickets or other suitable cover 

 during the heat of the day. It is a peculiar fact that 

 the Warthog usually drinks about midday. When pur- 

 sued it has, often been known to take refuge in an Aard- 

 vark or other convenient burrow. From three to eight 

 young ones are produced at a birth, although four would 

 appear to be the more usual number. When running 

 they hold the tail erect, presenting a somewhat comical 

 appearance. While feeding or rooting up the ground 

 they go down on their knees, which have in consequence 

 naked pad-like patches. They get very tame in cap- 

 tivity, although the writer once had an unpleasant experi- 

 ence with a half-grown Warthog. This animal had 

 broken out of its box while being conveyed from Living- 

 stone by rail, and for over an hour resisted all attempts 

 to return it to its cage, charging with malice afore- 

 thought time after time, when an undignified scramble 

 on to the side of the railway truck was our only defence. 

 The animal was eventually secured by the aid of several 

 sacks and the help of some white men. 



Although writers and hunters state that the flesh is 

 unpalatable, we have eaten young Warthog and found it 

 quite tasty. 



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