Not every creature you see on safari has the distinction of being one of the ugliest animals in Africa. But the warthog is part of that fraternity, known as the “Ugly Five”, which also includes the hyena, vulture, wildebeest and marabou stork. That said, baby warthogs can be cute in a homely sort of way.
Warthogs are in the same family as domestic pigs. Their large, flat heads are covered with “warts,” which are actually protective bumps. They have four sharp tusks (used in defense, not offense) and sparse bodily hair.
Warthogs are grazers; we came across this guy rooting for something in the soil. They are surprisingly fast, with sprinting speeds of up to 30 miles (48 kilometers) an hour. But they remain a common prey animal because, as we know, everyone likes bacon.
