WART HOG OR VLACKTE-VARK 



they ai:e chased off and lead an existence independent 

 of her. 



Three to four young ones is the average number 

 in a litter. 



Kirby mentions having often seen six or eight 

 youngsters accompanying a single sow. He suggests 

 that possibly the surplus may have been adopted, 

 their ovsrn mother having fallen a prey to some 

 carnivorous animal,' a hunter, or met with a fatal 

 accident. 



Although the Wart Hog only possesses four teats, 

 we cannot from this infer that four young ones 

 would necessarily be the limit at a birth. I have 

 known many instances of domestic pigs producing 

 young in excess of the number of teats. 



The period of gestation is slightly over four 

 months, and, according to Major Stevenson- 

 Hamilton, the young in the Transvaal are usually 

 born in October. 



The little ones are remarkably active, and when 

 but a week old can usually outdistance even a 

 native. It is an interesting sight to see the 

 youngsters bolt away with head up and tail 

 erect. 



Wart Hogs conceal themselves during the day- 

 time in the midst' of dense patches of tangled 

 scrub, in wooded dongas, or preferably in the 

 deserted holes of Aard-Varks and Porcupines. The 

 Wart Hog when entering such a hole retiresi into 

 it backwards, so as not to be taken at a disadvantage 



173 



