Warthog Skull Male (Phacochoerus africanus) Suidae

Warthog skulls are heavy, impenetrable, and armed with razor sharp tusks. Although leopards and lions prey on female and young warthogs, large predators almost always avoid attacking adult males. Large males are incredibly strong, fearless, and notoriously grumpy.

Anterior View Male Warthog Skull
Large male warthogs such as this are cantankerous, fearless, and confident of their onboard weoponry (razor sharp tusks). Most predators avoid them due to the considerable risk of serious or fatal injury. Male warthogs can attain more than 300 pounds in weight and exceed 30 mph on the run.
Image Phacochoerus africanus Photo Photograph Steve Torna anatomy ivory knowledge and light.com mammalogy osteology pig predator really right stuff tripod skull suidae tusks warthog
Lateral View Male Warthog Skull
One can appreciate the potential injury that could be inflicted by dual 12 inch curved sabers mounted on a 300 pound wrecking ball.
Image Phacochoerus africanus Photo Photograph Steve Torna anatomy ivory knowledge and light.com mammalogy osteology pig predator really right stuff tripod skull suidae tusks warthog
Posterior View Male Warthog Skull
Posterior view of a male warthog skull demonstrates the osseous magnitude of this formidable savannah survivor. The bones are fused together forming a series of armored plates replete with ridges and exaggerated muscular insertion surfaces. Note the bilateral elongated styloid processes that extend nearly to the level of the inferior mandible. These needle-like processes function as muscle attachment points for esophageal, lingual, and laryngeal muscles.
Image Phacochoerus africanus Photo Photograph Steve Torna anatomy ivory knowledge and light.com mammalogy osteology pig predator really right stuff tripod skull suidae tusks warthog