The babirusa is found on the tropical Indonesian island of Sulawesi. The population there is estimated to be less than 10,000. Their numbers are decreasing due to poaching and habitat loss from logging activity. Their conservation status is Vulnerable.
The babirusa is one of about a dozen wild pig species in Africa, Europe, Asia and islands. Very little is known about this shy, forest-dwelling pig. The babirusa is a dull grey with very little hair.
All were part of one species, the babirusa or pig-deer. Following splits into species, the name babyrussa is for the Buru babirusa. The north Sulawesi babirusa is named B. celebensis.
There are 9,999 mature Sulawesi babirusa individuals left. Their numbers decrease due to poaching and logging habitat loss. Their status is Vulnerable. Babirusa live around 24 years in captivity. They are not extinct.
Babirusas live on the Indonesian islands, primarily Sulawesi. They live in forests and rainforests. Humans colonized Sulawesi 30,000 years ago and soon hunted and ate babirusas.
The Sulawesi babirusa population is under 10,000. They are listed as Vulnerable due to poaching and logging habitat loss. Some Indonesians hunt and eat babirusas. Logging threatens them despite protective laws.
The Buru Babirusa is threatened by habitat loss and poaching, listed as Vulnerable. The Babyrousa celebensis is in Sulawesi and nearby islands. It lacks body hair with greyish skin. It lives in forests, by water, and in canebrakes.
The stable rainforest climate means minimal seasonal variation in the Babirusa’s diet. They live in both lowland and montane rainforests, showing adaptability. Their habitat gets over 79 inches of rain yearly.
A fourth possible Babirusa species has been proposed. Of the three existing species, two are considered vulnerable. The Togian babirusa needs more protection and conservation. Male babirusas are solitary and only gather to breed or fight. Females live in small family groups that male young leave.
Do babirusa tusks hurt them?
The babirusa is the only mammal with vertically growing canine teeth. Babirusa tusks have inspired folkore and tall tales. A popular story is that those upper tusks, eventually grow back into the skull. What is the lifespan of a babirusa? In captivity, babirusa have lived up to 24 years.
A deer pig calls the Indonesian islands of Sulawesi, Sula, Buru, and Togian home. In the wild, they have been known to live for a decade. The babirusa is a genus that includes four different species.
If tusks become a sufficient threat to their survival, then the babirusa will go extinct. I just recently heard about this hypothesis for the first time. Did humans evolve to be bipedal because they consume less energy? What do you think and is there any research on this?
They have remarkable tusks or canine teeth that can grow right up through the skin in their snout. Their wild-growing tusks are reminiscent of deer antlers.
These teeth can grow long enough that they puncture the roof of the babirusa’s mouth. Despite their fearsome appearance, these tusks do not appear to cause the babirusa pain. Females have very small or no tusks.
This is a babirusa a very unique creature. The reason I chose babirusa for its uniqeness and lond tusk. Habitat: Babirusa live in Sulawesi,Toigan,Sula and Buru, islands in indonesia. Location: They are endangered and vunerable to humans. Diet: Babirusa eat genaraly all vegetables but they dont eat it the most.
The gestation period for a Babirusa lasts 155-158 days. Compared to other pigs, Babirusas have a very small litter size. It may take eight months for the piglets to wean from their mother. It takes two years for a Babirusa to reach sexual maturity.
While the stable tropical rainforest climate benefits the Babirusa, it also makes them susceptible to habitat disruption caused by climate change and deforestation.
Male babirusas fight it off with their iconic top of the snout tusks to win the females. All species of Babirusas are noted as Vulnerable. The babirusa is a bizarre-looking pig with males having curved tusks growing vertically up through its upper jaw. Babirusa can vary by species in other characteristics. Some taxidermists will pull the tusks out a bit to make them look longer. The population of babirusas is estimated to be less than 10,000. The babirusa is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Do people eat babirusa?
Babirusas are wild members of the pig family (Suidae), but they differ from other pigs in several ways. Their snouts are not as specialized as those of other pigs. Babirusas also have complex, curving canine teeth, or tusks, that bend towards their foreheads. The male’s canine teeth continue to grow as long as they have a continuous blood supply. There are four species of Babirusa and the most popular of them all is the North Sulawesi Babirusa because of its fascinating upper tusk that is only possessed by the male Babirusa. Babyrousa Celebensis is also a common species famous for its monster curving tusks and it is found in Sulawesi.
The Creature Feature 10 Fun Facts About The Babirusa Wired Fun babirusa facts for kids what do they prey on? Insects, fish, small mammals what do they eat? Omnivores average litter size? 1 2 how much do they weigh? 94.7 220.3 lb (43 100 kg)
Babirusa is a Malagasy word that means pig- deer, these are members of the pig family that are found in the swampy rainforest of Indonesian Islands. They have barrel shaped and hairless bodies with soft deer-like legs. Their color can either be gray or brownish. Unfortunately, many babirusa are snared in traps set out for the Anoa, a small species of wild cattle also called the dwarf buffalo. Many local Muslim hunters will not eat pig due to their religious beliefs, and sadly those Babirusa caught in their traps will be left to rot. In some of the coastal regions of the island, there are reports that Babirusa are deliberately trapped purely for the purpose of having their teeth removed for the Bali mask making trade.
As the Babirusa is hunted to local extinction in one area, hunters simply move on and sell the Babirusa there to the more profitable markets in the North, rather than eat the pigs themselves as part of their subsistence living.
Babirusa, (Babirousa babyrussa), wild East Indian swine, family Suidae (order Artiodactyla), of Celebes and the Molucca islands. The stout-bodied, short-tailed babirusa stands 65–80 cm (25–30 inches) at the shoulder. It has a rough, grayish hide and is almost hairless. Its most notable feature is the extraordinary development of the canine tusks of the males.
Why are babirusa endangered?
Babirusas are endangered due to excessive hunting and habitat loss. Although legally protected, some hunting still occurs. They are also killed by farmers. Fewer than 10,000 babirusas remain. All species are endangered or vulnerable. Babirusas are found on Indonesian islands like Sulawesi, Togian, Sula and Buru. Their long tusks play a role in fights between males. Tusks may eventually penetrate the babirusa’s skull. Sulawesi babirusas number 9,999 adults. Their numbers are decreasing due to hunting and logging. Climate change threatens future habitats too. However education campaigns have reduced illegal hunting in some areas. The main threats are habitat loss and hunting. Babirusas communicate through grunts, moans and clattering teeth. They resemble pigs but may be related to hippos. The odd tusks are used like antlers. Tusks can break off easily. Babirusas have cult following among biologists and wildlife travelers for their extraordinary evolution in isolation.