164 a hand-book of the management of animals 



Length of life in captivity. 

 From March 1886 to June 1889. 



Treatment in health. 



Housing, — The same style of house as has been recommended for 

 many other animals of similar habits will suit them also, viz., a sleeping 

 chamber and an outer enclosure. The latter should be lined with planks 

 for about 3 feet from the ground to prevent their injuring them- 

 selves, as they are apt to dash against fencing at the slightest alarm. 



p 00 d. — The garden was unfortunate with several of these animals, 

 chiefly, as it now appears, owing to improper feeding. Whenever any 

 of them was acquired, it was sent down with instructions to feed it on 

 soaked paddy and roots. Whatever then liking for this diet might have 

 been in their own climate, it did not suit them here. They have been 

 found to thrive better on kitchen refuse, consisting of boiled meat, eggs, 

 vegetables, boiled rice, &c. 



Transport. — They should never be conveyed in cages made with 

 battens, rods, or wire. 



Observations on their habits. 



Pigmy hogs are extremely timid and shy, as already indicated, 

 remain constantly in concealment during the day, coming out only at 

 night, but if there is the least movement anywhere, they immediately 

 seek shelter again ; they have invariably been observed to prefer dry 

 ground to mud and slush. 



(222) THE BABIRUSA. 

 (BABIRUSA ALFUKUS— Less.) 



Description. — The body of the babirusa is barrel-shaped and the 

 skin almost entirely devoid of hair. Its most characteristic feature is 

 the growth of the canines in the males; those of the upper jaw pierce 

 through the upper lips, shoot upwards like horns, and are then arched 

 backwards over the eyes ; the lower tusks are also directed upwards 

 and backwards. 



Hab. — Islands of Celebes and Baru. 



Length of life in captivity. 

 From April 1880 to May 1884. 



TREATMENT IN HEALTH. 



Bousing. — May be housed like the pigmy hogs ; a small masonry 

 tank filled with mud and water will suffice. But for this and the next 

 animal enclosures like those recommended for the rhinoceros and tapir 

 are no doubt far more suitable. 



Food. — Fruits, roots, vegetables and grain ; it has never been 

 observed to show partiality for a meat diet. 



