While not territorial by nature, male warthogs do engage in combat on occasion. And while it may appear brutal, as in this footage, they actually show considerable restraint.
Anton Swanepoel sent this dramatic footage to Latest Sightings. He filmed the action while on a game drive in South Africa.
Warthogs in the wild
As we join Anton at the sighting, we see two warthogs standing with their heads pushed together. The question is, why are they doing so?
Warthogs are found mostly in fairly open habitats across sub-Saharan Africa. Beyond coming together for mating, males and females live quite separate lives.
Fighting boars
As the video continues, it soon becomes apparent that the two warthogs are fighting. The obvious indicator is the amount of blood visible on both of their heads.
Both are males, with the one on the right appearing to be somewhat bigger and older than its opponent. He sports a huge set of upper tusks.
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Pushing for an advantage
As the battle continues, the larger boar tries to force his opponent backwards. Simultaneously, he tries to get his muzzle under the chin of his rival.
If he manages to do so, he can then try to gore the other animal’s exposed neck. Incidentally, you’ll note that they both have two warts on either cheek. Females, by contrast, only have one on either side.
Non-territorial
Often, disputes between male animals take place over territory. However, warthogs are not territorial, so there must be another reason for the fight.
In this case, the most likely reason is that they are competing for mating rights with a receptive female. Despite the blood loss, these fights are highly ritualized and seldom result in death or serious injury.
Weapons and defences
As Anton zooms in, we get a closer look at their weapons and defences. Surprisingly, the larger upper tusks are not their primary weapons. Rather, it is the lower tusk that is constantly sharpened against the upper that can do the most damage.
Meanwhile, their “warts” serve to deflect and absorb some of the blows as they fight. As for the considerable blood loss, that is typical of head injuries in all mammals.
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The social life of boars
When young males leave their natal group, they normally join a bachelor herd of young males. However, as they mature, they go on to live an essentially solitary life.
As mentioned, they don’t hold territories. Instead, they coexist in overlapping home ranges. Territories are actively defended, while home ranges are not.
To the victor the spoils
After trading blows for some time, the pair appears to be quite evenly matched. However, when the smaller boar drops to his knees, the larger animal senses weakness.
Realising he is about to be beaten, the smaller male decides it’s time to leave before things deteriorate.
Accordingly, he backs off, turns, and sprints away at the first opportunity.
However, as the larger boar sets off in pursuit, it’s clear he means to ensure that this is a lesson the younger animal won’t forget.
