The African Warthog

January 25, 2018

The African Warthog is easily identifiable by its two pairs of prominent tusks (actually modified canine teeth). The lower pair become razor sharp by rubbing against the upper pair every time the mouth is opened and closed (you can come in and feel how sharp they actually are on the skull displayed in the shop). The tusks are used for combat and defense and, due to their sharpness, the lower tusks can inflict severe wounds, making wild warthogs extremely dangerous to approach. Warthogs have an abnormally large head (compared to body size) presumably to accommodate the weight and use of their tusks. Warthogs live in female dominant groups called sounders, while males tend to associate in bachelor groups, generally only joining sounders when females are in estrous. Warthog mating strategies are oddly similar to the stalking behaviors of male Homo sapiens; the males waiting around outside a females burrow for the female to emerge, putting on dominance displays when she emerges and then following the female around in constant attempt to initiate copulation. While this strategy often works for dominant male warthogs it often results in arrest and incarceration for male Homo sapiens. The prominent tusks, disproportionately large sized skull and oddly placed eye sockets make the warthog skull an interesting and unique addition for any serious bone collector. Come down and check out this unique specimen and take advantage of our many items being discounted for our mid winter sale. See you in The Garden! #skulls💀#oddities#bones#warthog#curios#ashlandoregon