What is the difference between the Central African Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus massaicus) and the Central European Wild Boar (Sus scrofa scrofa)?

The Central African Warthog and the Central European Wild Boar are both medium-sized heavy-set ungulate (hoofed) mammals, but the Warthog is pig-like and the Boar is a pig.

The Central African Warthog has two pairs of upward-curving ivory tusks protruding from its mouth. One pair of tusks is the upper pair, and the second pair of tusks is the lower pair, which is shorter than the upper pair. The male Central European Wild Boar has ivory canine teeth which protrude from its mouth, and the female has smaller canine teeth.

Central African Warthog (left) and Central European Wild Boar (right)

The head of the Central African Warthog is bigger and wider than the head of the Central European Wild Boar.

The Central African Warthog usually is black or brown with minimal fur, and the Central European Wild Boar usually has thick dark grey-black or rusty-brown fur.

The Central African Warthog has a distinct mane of hair along its spine, andthe Central European Wild Boar has a minimal mane.

The Central African Warthog is diurnal, active during the day, and the Central European Wild Boar is nocturnal, active at night.

The Central African Warthog is native to Kenya and Tanzania in Africa and likes woodlands and savannahs, whereas the Central European Wild Boar is native to Europe and lives is a wide range of habitats.

Central African Warthog (left) and Central European Wild Boar (right)

Central African Warthog

Central African Warthog

Central African Warthog

Central African Warthog

Central European Wild Boar

Central European Wild Boar

Central European Wild Boar

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM