Golden Babirusa: Babyrousa babyrussa

The golden babirusa is a species of old world pig in the family Susidae. Until 2002, all of the babirusas in the Indonesian islands of Sulawesi, Togian, Sula and Buru were lumped with this species. Now there are two aditional species, the north Sulawesi babirusa (B. celebensis) and Togian Babirusa (B. togeanensis).

The most notable characteristic of the babirusa are the large male tusks. The are formed from the canine teeth. In many individuals the teeth grow up through the skull and curve backwards towards the eyes.  

Diet

Babirusas are omnivores, feeding mostly on fruits on the forest floor.

Habitat

Babirusas are found in tropical forests of Indonesia.

Reproductive Habits

Male Babirusa pigs have long teeth with which they "box" with during the mating season. Once a male mates with a female, gestation takes between 120 and 150 days. Unlike other pigs which give birth to large litters, the babirusa gives birth to one or two piglets in a small nest.