| North Sulawesi babirusa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Adult male | |
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| Female atOpel Zoo | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Family: | Suidae |
| Genus: | Babyrousa |
| Species: | B. celebensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Babyrousa celebensis Deninger, 1909 | |
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TheNorth Sulawesi babirusa (Babyrousa celebensis) is a pig-like animal native toSulawesi and some nearby islands (Lembeh,Buton andMuna) inIndonesia.[3] It has two pairs of largetusks composed of enlargedcanine teeth. The upper canines penetrate the top of the snout, curving back toward the forehead. The North Sulawesi babirusa isthreatened from hunting anddeforestation.[1]
The common and scientific names are various transcriptions of its local name, which literally translated means "pig-deer" (fromIndonesianbabi, "pig" +rusa, "deer"[4] – see alsoJavan rusa) in reference to the huge tusks of the male suggestive of a deer'santlers.
Together with the other members of thegenusBabyrousa, the North Sulawesi babirusa has usually been considered asubspecies of a widespreadBabyrousa babyrussa, but recent work suggests that there may be several species, differentiable on the basis of geography, body size, amount of body hair, and the shape of the upper canine tooth of the male. Following the split, the "true"Babyrousa babyrussa is restricted toBuru and theSula Islands.[5]
Most experts agree that babirusas are part of thepig family, and are one of the oldest living members of the family, representing a subfamily, Babyrousinae, that branched off from thewarthog branch of thepig family (SubfamilyPhacochoerini) during theOligocene or earlyMiocene.
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The North Sulawesi babirusa has a head-and-body length of 85–110 cm (33–43 in) and weighs up to 100 kg (220 lb).[6] It is virtually hairless (easily revealing its greyish skin), and the tail-tuft is also nearly hairless. In males, the relatively long and thick upper canines are strongly curved.[5][6] They emerge through the roof of the snout, while the long lower canines emerge through the side of the mouth. The upper canines can grow backwards in a curve until they penetrate the skull of the male babirusa.[7]
In females, the canines are far shorter and typically do not protrude. In comparison, theBuru babirusa has relatively long, thick body hair, a well-developed tail-tuft, and relatively short and slender upper canines in males, while theTogian babirusa is larger, has a relatively well-developed tail-tuft, and the upper canines of the male are "short, slender, rotated forwards, and always converge".[5][6][8]
Its habitat is the underbrush of tropical forests andcanebrakes, and the shores of rivers and lakes. Its mostly-hairless, mottled-grey-and-brown hide provide it with a degree ofcamouflage. The North Sulawesi Babirusa is known for its two pairs oftusks; both its upper and its lower pairs ofcanine teeth are greatly enlarged, and curve up and back towards the head. The upper canines of the male are so curved and enlarged that they emerge through the flesh, by way of holes, to pass through the top of the snout.
This species is protected by Indonesian law but is threatened by illegal hunting.[9]
In captivity, the species is veryinbred.[citation needed] TheBronx Zoo has an excellent breeding record for this animal, but it has also been bred at several other zoos such asSt. Louis Zoo,Los Angeles Zoo,South Lakes Safari Zoo,Marwell Wildlife,Audubon Zoo andChester Zoo.
In 2006, a male North Sulawesi Babirusa and a female domestic pig were accidentally allowed tointerbreed in theCopenhagen Zoo. The offspring were five hybrid piglets, two of whom died from injuries received from their mother; the remaining three (two males and one female) were found to be infertile.[10][11]
