Empty Road Africa
Highly unlikely ever finding an empty road in Africa, always something on the go, today it is our wild African hog, WARTHOG (Phacochoerus aethiopicus). Pumbaa the meaning is not to identify the animal, but the characteristics leaning more towards ignorant, foolish, lazy and similar descriptive undertones.
Kneeling down foraging roots, grass, bark off trees will include some insects and fruit, protective pads on their wrists allowing them to kneel while grazing, eyes placed high back on flattened head is better overhead vision when grazing for predators.
Females with young move in groups called sounders, males normally only present during mating season what's new? Females will assist each other with suckling piglets, moving around very vocal with grunts, squeals and snorts!
Their nickname Pumbaa might not be quite correct considering they can run fast in a chase up to 34m/h or 50k/h when fully grown, known to get out of trouble with lions as well. Young are weak at birth, taken by serval cats or African eagles.
Eastern and Southern Africa when out on empty road, one will surely come upon Warthog wallowing in shallow mud pools, or being chased of farmers land helping themselves to crops.
Pretty or ugly you can debate with tusks that are teeth, males have to predominant 'warts', from which their name is derived. Tusks are used between males when seasonal breeding rights occur.
Warthogs make use of underground burrows abandoned by porcupine, aarvark or similar animals. Always entering burrow tail first to ensure safety being able to defend themselves with tusks, keeping young out of sight. Poorly eyesight, using sound and smell are their strength against predators and in finding food.
When visiting remember most will not know what you talking about shouting out Pumbaa, that's a Disney attempt of turning animals into movie stars.
All photography Canon EOS 500D camera. Any queries or requests please drop a comment below or make contact with me, have a wonderful day! Photography without tripod, go with the flow wherever life takes you.
Thought for Today: "A warthog eating its fill does not delight a pig." - African proverb
Entry for Qurator's Photo Quest | Empty Road
