Babirusa
ExploreMammals
Babirusa
Babyrousa babyrussa
Babirusas are unique pigs with long, curved tusks that grow through their snouts. They live in the forests of Southeast Asia and are excellent swimmers!
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Babirusa has distinctive upward-curving tusks that can pierce its own skull if not worn down. It has wrinkled, coarse, greyish-brown skin with sparse hair, giving it a somewhat prehistoric appearance. Its slender legs and arched back make it visually different from other wild pigs.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderArtiodactylaFamilySuidaeGenusBabyrousa
Category
MammalsRarity
Rare
Danger
3/5 · Moderate
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
The Babirusa's name means "pig-deer" in Malay, describing its unique look.
Their upper tusks can actually grow so long they curl back towards their forehead!
They don't use their tusks to dig for food, preferring to root with their hard snouts.
Unlike other pigs, female babirusas have only two nipples to feed their single-born young.
Special abilities
Ability
Tusk Power
Babirusa has unique tusks that grow through their snout, helping males display dominance or defend themselves in rare fights.
Ability
Forest Navigator
Babirusa can expertly forage through dense jungle, using a keen sense of smell to locate buried roots and fungi for food.
Ability
Mud Wallow Master
Babirusa can wallow in mud baths to cool down its body and protect its sensitive, sparse skin from biting insects and sunburn.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 85-110 cm
- Weight
- 60-100 kg
- Lifespan
- 10-24 years
- Top Speed
- 35 km/h
- Litter Size
- 1-2
- Gestation
- 150-157 days
Diet & Feeding
These unique pigs enjoy a varied diet of plants, fruits, roots, and even some forest critters.
Primary Foods
- Fallen Fruit
- Leaves
- Roots
- Fungi
- Insect Larvae
- Grubs
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Human
Homo sapiens
Hunted for meat; habitat is destroyed by human activity.
eaten by
Reticulated Python
Python reticulatus
Juvenile Babirusas can be prey for large constricting snakes.
eats
Cluster Fig
Ficus racemosa
Enjoys fallen fruits and leaves from various fig trees.
eats
Macassar Ebony
Diospyros celebica
Feeds on the fruits, leaves, and young shoots of these trees.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Arboreal
Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Tool Use
This trait describes organisms that manipulate external objects to achieve a specific goal.
Tusked
Characterized by having long, pointed, projecting teeth, usually in pairs.
Ancient Lineage
This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
Babyrousa
Collections
Safety
Danger
3/5 · Moderate
Babirusas are wild animals and should be observed from a safe distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Babirusa?
85-110 cm
How much does Babirusa weigh?
60-100 kg
How long does Babirusa live?
10-24 years
How fast can Babirusa move?
35 km/h
What does Babirusa eat?
These unique pigs enjoy a varied diet of plants, fruits, roots, and even some forest critters.
Where is Babirusa usually found?
Forests
How does Babirusa hunt?
Foraging
How many babies does Babirusa usually have?
1-2
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
