Babirusa

The wild pig with a dental problem

The Babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa) is a long-legged, almost hairless, wild pig found in Indonesia. Its upper canine teeth or tusks curve back and grow up through the top of its muzzle instead of growing out of the side of the mouth!

In the native language, Babirusa means pig-deer. This is because its tusks look more like the antlers of a deer than the tusks of a pig.

It has the smallest litter size amongst pigs. A good swimmer, it has been able to colonise many islands scattered along the coast of southeast Asia. The Babirusa lives in small herds, foraging on forest floors for food.

Hanging around
There is a common belief that the Babirusa can hang suspended by its curved tusks from the branch of a tree when it wants a safe place to sleep at night. Of course, this is not true.