The common warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) is a hardy member of the pig family widely distributed across sub‑Saharan Africa. Easily recognised by its curved tusks and facial warts, it lives in savanna and bushveld and feeds on grasses, roots and tubers. Warthogs can weigh 100–250 pounds and live in groups called sounders; their abundance and distinctive appearance make them a popular entry‑level trophy for many hunters.
Most warthog hunts revolve around water. These pigs must drink daily, so outfitters often place blinds over waterholes or mineral licks and wait for multiple sounders to visit, allowing hunters to select a mature boar. Spot‑and‑stalk hunts can also be productive in open country, but hunters must approach from downwind because warthogs have an acute sense of smell. Another tactic is to stake out burrows at first light as warthogs emerge to feed; shots are usually taken at close range.
Warthogs are widespread and not currently threatened, yet hunting is regulated to ensure sustainability. Many southern African countries require hunters to obtain licences and pay trophy fees that finance habitat protection and anti‑poaching. In Tanzania, tourist hunting is organised in designated blocks and controlled by quotas set annually by the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority; the hunting season runs from July 1 to December 31 and hunters must be accompanied by registered professional guides. Similar quota systems in Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique keep warthog populations healthy while channelling revenue into rural communities.
There are four recognised subspecies—Northern, Eritrean, Central African and Southern warthog—differing mainly in size and distribution. Warthogs are diurnal and often seen kneeling on their front legs while grazing; when alarmed they dash off with tails erect. They use abandoned aardvark burrows for shelter and will back into them so their tusks face outwards. Because of their prolific reproduction and generalist diet, warthogs rebound quickly when managed properly, making them an ideal species for sustainable use programmes.
Warthog can be found in the following location:
Warthog has the following variations:
- (Varieties to be confirmed)
