The Visayan Warty Pig

The Visayan warty pig, aka baboy ilahas, baboy talonon, baboy sulop, and baboy ramo, hails from 6 of the Visayan Islands (Cebu, Negros, Panay, Masbate, Guimaras, and Siquijor) in the central Philippines. They face the threats of habitat loss and destruction at the hands of residential and commercial developments, farming, ranching, and logging. These pigs are also hunted and trapped for their meat. The threat of genetic pollution also looms as they often hybridize with feral and domestic pigs. The IUCN lists these pigs as Critically Endangered. Their population trend is listed as decreasing.

First the Stats…

Scientific name: Sus cebifrons
Weight: Up to 175 lbs.
Length: Up to 4 feet, plus up to a 9 inch tail
Height: Up to 25 inches
Lifespan: Up to 20 years

Now on to the Facts!

1.) In 2012, the Negros Interior Biodiversity Expedition set up camera trapping in the Northern Negros Natural Park and obtained the first photos taken in the wild of these porcines.

2.) There are 2 recognized subspecies: Cebu warty pig and Negros warty pig.

3.) They get their name from the 3 pairs of fleshy “warts” present on the visage (head).

4.) The purpose of the warts are to serve as a defense against rival pig’s tusks in battle.

5.) These porcines dwell in small drifts (groups) of up to 6 individuals.

But wait, there’s more on the Visayan warty pig!

6.) Fruits, roots, tubers, and cultivated crops are all readily consumed.

7.) Seeing as upwards of 95% of their natural habitat has been cleared by local farmers who clear cut the forest to plant crops, the propensity of these pigs to eat cultivated crops has risen exponentially.

Did you know…?
These critters were the first species of pig ever to be recorded utilizing tools for digging, while being housed at a French zoo.

8.) Mating season lasts from January – March.

9.) Females undergo up to a 118 day gestation (pregnancy) that yields up to 4 piglets.

10.) These critters are both nocturnal (active at night) and crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk).

Now a Short Visayan Warty Pig Video!

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Some source material acquired from: Wikipedia & IUCN