Buru Babirusa

Buru Babirusa

Moluccan babirusa, Golden babirusa, Hairy babirusa

Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Babyrousa babyrussa
Population size
Unknown
Life Span
24 years
Weight
43-100
94.6-220
kglbs
kg lbs 
Height
65-80
25.6-31.5
cminch
cm inch 
Length
85-110
33.5-43.3
cminch
cm inch 

Buru babirusas (Babyrousa babyrussa) are wild pig-like animals native to Southeast Asia. They have a remarkable "prehistoric" appearance due to the prominent upwards incurving canine tusks of the males, which actually pierce the flesh in the snout.

Appearance

Buru babirusas have relatively long thick, gold-brown body hair. Their jaws and teeth are strong enough to crack any kind of nuts. Babirusas lack the rostral bone in their nose, which is a tool used by other wild pigs for digging. Therefore, they prefer feeding on roots in soft muddy, or sandy soils.

Distribution

Geography

Continents
Subcontinents
Countries
Biogeographical realms

Buru babirusas are found only on the Indonesian islands of Buru, the two Sula Islands of Mangole and Taliabu. They live in tropical rainforests, near river banks and various natural ponds rich in water plants.

Buru Babirusa habitat map

Climate zones

Buru Babirusa habitat map
Buru Babirusa
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Habits and Lifestyle

Buru babirusas are diurnal animals. They are usually active in the morning and the afternoon. When not foraging they spend time resting, sleeping, or wallowing in mud. North Sulawesi babirusas are social and form groups with up to a dozen individuals, especially when raising their young. Older males might live individually.

Seasonal behavior

Diet and Nutrition

Buru babirusas are omnivores. They feed on various leaves, roots, fruits, invertebrates, and small vertebrates.

Mating Habits

PREGNANCY DURATION
150-157 days
BABY CARRYING
1-2 piglets
INDEPENDENT AGE
6-8 months
FEMALE NAME
sow
MALE NAME
boar
BABY NAME
piglet

Little is known about the mating system of Buru babirusas. After the gestation period of 150-157 days females give birth to 1-2 piglets weighing 380-1,050 grams (15-35 oz) and measuring 15-20 cm (6-8 inches). The young are nursed until the age of 6-8 months and become reproductively mature when they are 5-10 months old.

Population

Population threats

The habitat of Buru babirusas is restricted to a total area of 20,000 km2 (7,700 sq mi), and its gradual loss due to logging and expansion of agricultural areas threatened the species. These animals are also widely hunted for meat by the indigenous people of Buru.

Population number

The IUCN Red List and other sources don’t provide the number of the Buru babirusa total population size. Currently, this species is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List, and its numbers today are decreasing.

References

1. Buru babirusa Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buru_babirusa
2. Buru babirusa on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/2461/9441445

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