Weight 130-265 lbs Color dark brown to black. Tail 18 in., with a tassel at the end. A thin mane of hair is on the neck and back. Warts are present in both males and females, but are more prominent in males. Adult boars may sometimes join the group, but usually remain solitary.
Most warthogs are active during the day and graze mainly on grasses and herbs.
They tend to live in abandoned aardvark dens. When entering their dens, the young climb down first followed by adults, who usually enter backwards to avoid predator attacks. Although the warthog has poor eyesight, it has a good sense of smell and an acute sense of hearing. Because of its short neck and long legs, the warthog moves on its wrists when searching for food. As an adaptation to this method of locomotion, calluses have developed on the wrists.