Ecology, Conservation and Management of Wild Pigs and Peccaries

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Chapter 8: Togian babirusa Babyrousa togeanensis (Sody, 1949)

Local people have observed various activities such as forag-

ing, mating, wallowing, and resting (Akbar et al. 2007). Some

agonistic behaviours were also reported (Selmier 1983; Akbar

et al. 2007). When competition for resources such as food or mates

increases, the fighting events involved chasing, bumping the fron-

tal heads, biting, and standing on two legs (Akbar et al. 2007), and

these seem to be similar to those of Babyrousa celebensis.

Differently from many other pig species, the babirusa does

not dig hard ground with the snout due to the lack of the ros-

tral bone (Os rostrale) at the tip of the nasal septum (Macdonald

1993; Leus & Macdonald 1997). However, when food is scarce in

the forest, the Togian babirusa has been observed scratching the

hard ground with its hooves to pull up a vine or stem of tuberous

plants with the mouth, as has been recorded in Sulawesi babi-

rusa in captivity (Balik et al. 2005; see Figure 8.7) in order to

supplement or replace the poor rooting ability.

During the daytime when the ambient temperature rises, this

species wallows in the swamp (Figures 8.5 and 8.6). Similarly to

Babyrousa celebensis, the Togian babirusa inserts the snout in

the mud and digs it up, then slides into the mud, kneeling with

forelegs bent to roll about. After wallowing, the animal often

rubs the body against nearby trees in a similar way to other pig

species. Their wallowing behaviours are thought to regulate

their body temperature and to remove ectoparasites.

Similarly to other wild pigs, this species exhibits nest-build-

ing behaviour. Sleeping nests tend to have little or no padding

on the ground, being essentially ‘babirusa-sized depressions’

(Selmier 1983). In the dry season (August 2002), a nest com-

posed of fallen leaves was found on Malenge Island (M. Ito, per-

sonal observation). The structural difference of these sleeping

nests may depend on seasonality or availability of nest materials.

This species sometimes uses rock shelters as a resting place.

Selmier (1983) described that the vocal communication

of babirusa resembled that of Sus scrofa and there were 17 dif-

ferent sounds recognized. In her study, no differences in the

sounds and communication were found between this species on

Pangempan Island and the captive Sulawesi babirusa, although

both were still recognized as a single species by Selmier (1983).

Local farmers reported babirusa being attacked by pythons

emitting an alarm call, which attracted other babirusas to attack

the snake as an anti-predator strategy (Akbar et al. 2007). During

fieldwork in 2001, similar observations by a hunter on Malenge

Island were reported (M. Ito, personal observation).

It is worth noting that the Togian babirusa has been observed

crossing the narrow straits between the three islands, Malenge,

Togian and Talatakoh (Selmier 1983; Akbar et al. 2007; Ito

2008). This swimming is probably associated with foraging or

mating. Besides this, some individuals may swim away from the

Figure 8.6 Wallowing behaviour of a solitary adult male (Malenge Island;
photo by Masaaki Ito).

Figure 8.7 A captive Sulawesi babi-

rusa (Babyrousa celebensis) pulling up

blady grass (Imperata cylindrica) with

the mouth. In order to supplement or

replace the poor rooting ability, this ani-

mal has also been observed scratching

the ground with the hooves and pulling

up a vine of sweet potato and stem of

cassava to take the rhizomes (photo by

Masaaki Ito). (A black and white version of

this figure will appear in some formats. For

the colour version, please refer to the plate

section.)

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