# North Sulawesi Babirusa (*babyrousa celebensis*) The North Sulawesi Babirusa is a unique pig with long, curved tusks! These fascinating animals love to roam the forests of Indonesia. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** They live in the tropical forests of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. - **Also known as:** babirusas, deer pig, pig deer ![North Sulawesi Babirusa](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Hirscheber1a.jpg&width=800) Photo: Masteraah at German Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 2.0 de · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hirscheber1a.jpg) ## Appearance The North Sulawesi Babirusa has distinct, sparsely haired greyish-brown skin that often appears wrinkled. Its most striking feature is the large, upward-curving tusks, especially prominent in males, where the upper canines can pierce through the snout. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Artiodactyla - **Family:** Suidae - **Genus:** Babyrousa ## Interesting facts - Females have only two teats, typically birthing just one or two babies. - Male babirusa tusks are hollow and can be surprisingly fragile in fights! - Their unique pointed snout is very different from other pigs' typical flat 'disks'! - Wallowing in mud helps babirusas stay cool and protects their wrinkly skin! ## Special abilities - **Armored Skin:** North Sulawesi Babirusa has thick, wrinkly skin that helps protect them from thorny plants while moving through dense jungle. - **Distinctive Tusks:** North Sulawesi Babirusa males grow unique tusks that emerge through their snouts, used for display and sparring with rivals. - **Keen Foraging Snout:** North Sulawesi Babirusa can use their strong, sensitive snout to expertly root around the soil for delicious roots and grubs. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 85-110 cm - **Weight:** 60-100 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-15 years - **Speed:** 25 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-2 - **Gestation:** 150-160 days ## Diet & Feeding They are omnivores, rooting for fallen fruits, mushrooms, and small animals on the forest floor. - **Primary Foods:** Fallen fruits, Roots, Fungi, Invertebrates, Larvae - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Reticulated Python](https://www.snappit.app/explore/reticulated-python) (*Python reticulatus*) — Large pythons prey on young babirusas. - **Eaten by:** [Saltwater Crocodile](https://www.snappit.app/explore/saltwater-crocodile) (*Crocodylus porosus*) — Adult babirusas are prey for large crocodiles. - **Eats:** Cluster Fig (*Ficus racemosa*) — Consumes fallen figs, a vital part of its diet. - **Eats:** Pili Nut Tree (*Canarium luzonicum*) — Forages for nuts from forest trees. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify North Sulawesi Babirusa? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is North Sulawesi Babirusa? 85-110 cm ### How much does North Sulawesi Babirusa weigh? 60-100 kg ### How long does North Sulawesi Babirusa live? 10-15 years ### How fast can North Sulawesi Babirusa move? 25 km/h ### What does North Sulawesi Babirusa eat? They are omnivores, rooting for fallen fruits, mushrooms, and small animals on the forest floor. ### Where is North Sulawesi Babirusa usually found? They live in the tropical forests of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. ### How does North Sulawesi Babirusa hunt? Foraging ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [North Sulawesi Babirusa: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/north-sulawesi-babirusa)