Weird Warthog Facts

Hi! Here are some funny and surprising things warthogs do. I will tell them step by step so they're easy to remember.

1. They back into their homes. Warthogs sleep in burrows. Instead of going in head-first, they back in so they can watch the entrance with their eyes and tusks ready.
2. They have funny 'warts' on their faces. Those bumps are thick skin that protect them when they fight. They are not real warts like on people.
3. They kneel to eat grass. Warthogs eat by putting their front knees on the ground. They have tough pads on their knees so it doesn't hurt.
4. Their tails stick up like flags. When warthogs run, their tails stand straight up. It helps other warthogs follow them through tall grass.
5. They have big tusks. The curved tusks are their teeth. Warthogs use them to protect themselves and their families.
6. Baby warthogs have stripes. Piglets are born with pale stripes on their bodies. The stripes help hide them. The stripes fade as they grow up.
7. They like mud baths. Warthogs roll in mud to cool off and to keep bugs away — like a dirty spa!
8. They can be very fast. Even though they look chunky, warthogs can run quickly to get away from danger.
9. They use old burrows from other animals. Warthogs don't dig big burrows themselves. They often move into burrows made by animals like aardvarks.

Try this: draw a warthog with a big snout, tall tail, and little stripes on the baby. Tell a friend one weird fact you learned!