ON SOME ISLANDS of Indonesia lives akind of wild hog with curved tusks that grow right through the skin of its snout. Some people there think the tusks look like a deer's antlers. So they call the animal babirusa, which means "pig-deer."
Only the male babirusa has tusks. The lower tusks, like those of other wild hogs, are sometimes used for fighting. But its upper tusks are something of a mystery. The babirusa dose not use them for self-defense or for rooting because they point in the wrong direction. Sometimes they grow as long as 17 inches (43cm) and curve around in a circle! Scientists think the upper tusks may help to attract mates.
The babirusa is a distant relative of the pig that lives on farms. Aside from its curious tusks, a babirusa looks much like a pig. But its legs are longer than a pig's legs. A full-grown babirusa can measure more than 3 feet ( 91 cm) long and almost 3 feet (91 cm) high. It can weigh as much as 220 pounds (100 kg). Its brownish gray hide looks hairless. The babirusa's skin may be either wrinkled or smooth.
Babirusas have small ears, but their hearing is sharp. This comes in handy, since the animals feed and move around in the dark. It is hard for scientists to study babirusas in the wild because of the animals' nighttime habits.
Babirusas live in moist forests and along the edges of rivers and lakes. Like other members of the pig family, they spend much time wallowing in the mud. Sometimes babirusas swim to nearby islands to feed on water plants, leaves, fallen fruit, and shoots. They also eat insect larvae found in rotting tree trunks.
Before a female babirusa gives birth, she prepares a nest in a hidden place. There she has her young. Usually one or two offspring are born after a pregnancy of about five months. Most other members of the pig family have larger litters. At birth, the babirusas are tiny-only about 8 inches (20 cm)long. Unlike many other young wild hogs, which have striped coats, new born babirusas have smooth, unmarked skins.
People of the islands where babirusas live have a legend about the animals. They say that when a babirusa wants to sleep,it hangs itself upon a tree branch by its tusks. That way it is out of danger. Actually, the babirusa spends its sleeping hours safely hidden on the ground.
INFO
Babirusa:
Length of head and body: 35-43 in (89-109 cm); tail, 8-12 in ( 20-30 cm)
Weight: as much as 220 lb (100 kg)
Habitat and Range: moist forests and edges of rivers and lakes on Celebes and on nearby islands of Indonesia
Food: water plants, leaves, shoots, fruit, and insect larvae
Life Span: as long as 22 years in captivity
Reproduction: 1 or 2 young after a pregnancy