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Phacochoerus: Wild Pets In The Savanna Biome

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Phacochoerus is a genus of wild pigs in the S uidae family, known as w arthogs. It is the sole g e n u s o f s u b f a m i l y P h a c o c h o e r i n a e . T h e y a r e f o u n d i n o p e n a n d s e m i o p e n h a b i t a t s , e v e n i n q u i t e arid regions, in s ub­Saharan Africa. The two species were formerly considered conspecific under the scientific name Phacochoerus aethiopicus, but today this is limited to the d esert warthog, while the best­known and most widespread species, the c ommon warthog is Phacochoerus africanus. Weather The savanna biome is an area that has a very dry season and then a very wet season.Because of the extended periods of wet and dry climate in the savanna biome, the availability of food changes throughout the year.Climate is very important in the savanna biome. If the rainfall decreases and/or the temperature increases, the animals and plants will not be able to continue to survive. …show more content…

Amongst the woody plant species are serious environmental weeds such as Prickly Acacia, Lantana and Prickly Pear. Animals 2 The antelopes are especially diverse and include eland, impalas,gazelles oryx, gerenuk and kudu. Buffalo, wildebeest, plains zebra,rhinos, giraffes, elephants and warthogs are among other herbivores of the African savanna. Carnivores include lions, leopards, cheetahs,jackals, wild dogs and hyenas. Food The warthog is mainly a grazer and has adapted an interesting practice of kneeling on its calloused, hairy, padded knees to eat short grass. Using its snout and tusks, it also digs for bulbs, tubers and roots during the dry season.

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