Everything about Babyrousa totally explained
The
Babirusa or
pig-deer,
Babyrousa babyrussa, is a
pig-like animal native to
Sulawesi and surrounding islands of
Indonesia. It has two pairs of large tusks; enlarged
canine teeth. The canines in the maxilla penetrate the top of the snout, curving back toward the forehead. This is a
threatened species.
The common and scientific names are various transcriptions of its local name, which quite literally means "pig-deer" (from
Malay babi "pig" +
rusa "deer" - see also
Rusa Deer) in reference to the huge tusks of the male suggestive of a deer's
antlers - and in fact used for a similar purpose.
Classification
The babirusa has usually been classified as a single species in the
genus Babyrousa, but recent work suggests that there may be several species, differentiable on the basis of geography, body size, amount of body hair, and the shape of the upper canine tooth of the male. Most experts agree that babirusas are part of the pig family, and are one of the oldest living members of the family, representing a subfamily, Babyrousinae, that branched off from the
warthog branch of the pig family (
Subfamily Phacochoerini) during the
Oligocene or early
Miocene.
Habitat
The Babirusa is native to the large eastern Indonesian island of
Sulawesi and surrounding islands. Its habitat is the underbrush of tropical forests and
canebrakes, and the shores of rivers and lakes. Its mostly-hairless, mottled-grey-and-brown hide provide it with a degree of
camouflage. The babirusa is known for its two pairs of
tusks; both its upper and its lower pairs of
canine teeth are greatly enlarged, and curve up and back towards the head. The upper canines of the male babirusa are so curved and enlarged that they emerge through the flesh, by way of holes, to pass through the top of the snout.
This species is on the endangered list.
Because it's split-hooved and has a three-chambered stomach (and was thus thought to be a ruminant for a long time), there was some dispute in
Halakha (
Jewish law) as to whether the babirusa pig is, in fact,
kosher (permitted according to Jewish dietary laws). Eventually it was found that the animal isn't a true
ruminant, and thus remains 'trefe' like other pigs.
Captivity
In captivity, the species is very inbred. There are 2 subspecies kept in zoos. One subspecies in only kept in American zoos, while the other is found mainly in European zoos. The
Bronx Zoo has an excellent breeding record for this animal. There are not many zoos that have bred the animal; some that have are
Los Angeles Zoo,
South Lakes Wild Animal Park,
Twycross Zoo, and
Chester Zoo.
In 2006, a male babirusa and a female domestic pig accidentally interbred in the
Copenhagen Zoo. The offspring were 5 hybrid piglets most resembling the babirusa, both in their teeth and skin colour.
Media
Image:Babirusa.jpg|Four-tusk babirusa from Indonesian region.
Image:Babirusa skull.jpg|Babirusa skull on display at Field Museum.
Image:Male-female-babirusa.jpg|Male and female Babirusa at Edinburgh Zoo
Image:Babirusa, Singapore Zoo.JPG|Babirusas sleeping at Singapore Zoo
Further Information
Get more info on 'Babyrousa'.
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