42 
SOME EAST AFRICAN PIGS 
The variation in the premolars (when there may be more in 
some pigs) is that there is a ‘ wolf tooth/ which may or may not 
be present. In old fully developed Warthogs this is reduced to 
0-0 
2-2 
incisors, 
1-1 
1-1 
canines, 
1-1 
l^T 
premolars, 
1-1 
1-1 
molars, and 
may continue till the premolars are entirely lost, until there 
is the one molar left in both jaws. This tooth, however, 
becomes very enlarged and complex. 
The above figures were taken from a young male (tusks 
B inches) and an adult male (tusks 15f inches). 
It is said that in the young perfect toothed Warthog there 
are thirty-four teeth. The cheek teeth have all flat grinding 
surfaces. Mention may be made of its curious habit in 
descending its burrow backwards, thus keeping its head to the 
front of the hole. 
The burrows are very often enlarged from the burrow 
of the Ant bear (< Orycteropus ) ; and while digging it clears 
the soil by rapid scratching with its fore feet, but when some 
distance down will shove the earth in front of it with its 
snout and tusks. 
Its food seems to consist of grass bulbs, such as gludrol and 
lily bulbs, and it apparently is sometimes fond of digging in the 
bare cleared nests of the ‘ harvester ’ ant. 
Many of the ‘ scrapes ’ observed on these bare patches are 
due to the Ant bear, but the footprints have been observed 
(after rain) just in front of turned-up earth in these places. 
They are generally observed in small family parties, but the 
boars are frequently met with alone. 
Hylochoerus meinertzhageni, or Giant pig, native name 
‘ Tomda.’ 
The Giant pig was only discovered a few years ago, and little 
is known of its habits. 
Sir Harry Johnston, in his book on the Uganda Protec- 
torate, mentions that he had heard stories of a gigantic pig-like 
animal in the forests of the Mau, but suggests that this might 
be the Pigmy Hippopotamus which occurs in the West African 
forests. However, later the pig was discovered by Lieutenant 
Meinertzhagen and named after him. 
