Neither graceful nor beautiful, warthogs are however, remarkable animals. They are the only pigs able to live in areas without water for several months of the year. By tolerating a higher-than-normal body temperature, the warthog is perhaps able to conserve moisture inside its body that might otherwise be used for cooling.

When alarmed, the warthog grunts or snorts, lowers its mane, flattens its ears and bolts for underground cover with tail erect, a “flag” for the family to follow. The warthog has poor vision but its senses of smell and hearing are excellent.