Why do babirusas have such unusual tusks?

In males, the upper canine teeth grow upward through the skin of the snout and curve back toward the forehead, while the lower canines also form tusks. Together these four tusks are used in combat between males, and if not worn down they can eventually pierce the animal's own skull.

Where do Buru babirusas live?

They are found only on the Indonesian island of Buru and on Mangole and Taliabu in the Sula Islands.

Are babirusas endangered?

Yes, all babirusa species are classified as Vulnerable or Endangered by the IUCN, mainly due to poaching and habitat loss from commercial logging.

Babirusaバビルサ

Babyrousa babyrussaVU— Vulnerable

The Buru babirusa is a small, forest-dwelling wild pig found only on Buru and the Sula Islands of Indonesia, distinguished by males' extraordinary curving tusks that pierce through the skin of the snout. Habitat loss from logging and hunting pressure have pushed the species into decline, and it is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN. As of current records, no Japanese zoo or aquarium is confirmed to keep babirusa.

Babirusa (reference photo) — Photo: Klaus Rassinger und Gerhard Cammerer, Museum Wiesbaden / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification: Artiodactyla (Cetartiodactyla) / Suidae Source
Distribution: The Buru babirusa is native to the Indonesian island of Buru and to Mangole and Taliabu in the Sula Islands. It is now extinct on Sulabesi Island, also in the Sula Islands, where it once occurred. Source

Did You Know?

Male babirusas grow upper canine tusks that pierce through the skin of the snout and curve upward, giving them four striking tusks in total. If not worn down naturally, the tusks can grow long enough to pierce the animal's own skull. Source
Cave paintings of babirusas on Sulawesi have been dated to at least 35,400 years ago, making them among the oldest known examples of figurative art. Source
Buru babirusa meat has an unusually low fat content of about 1.27%, compared with 5–15% for domestic pig meat. Source

Where to See This Species

0 facilities · 0 individuals

Verified individual animals and facilities will be added as official information becomes available.

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

IUCNではVU。島しょの森林を守ることが重要である。

Habitat

スラウェシ島周辺の熱帯林、湿地、河畔。

Threats

森林減少
狩猟
分布域の狭さ

Conservation & Breeding Efforts

生息地の保全
狩猟規制
飼育下での繁殖管理

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

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FAQ

Why do babirusas have such unusual tusks?: In males, the upper canine teeth grow upward through the skin of the snout and curve back toward the forehead, while the lower canines also form tusks. Together these four tusks are used in combat between males, and if not worn down they can eventually pierce the animal's own skull. Source
Where do Buru babirusas live?: They are found only on the Indonesian island of Buru and on Mangole and Taliabu in the Sula Islands. Source
Are babirusas endangered?: Yes, all babirusa species are classified as Vulnerable or Endangered by the IUCN, mainly due to poaching and habitat loss from commercial logging. Source

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org