Babirusa

1. Babirusa The babirusas are a genus, Babyrousa, in the pig family (Suidae) found in Wallacea or specifically the Indonesian islands of Sulawesi, Togian, Sula and Buru. The babirusas are found in tropical forest. All members of this genus were considered part of a single species until 2002, the babirusa, B. babyrussa, but following the split into several species, this scientific name is restricted to the Buru babirusa from Buru and Sula, whereas the best-known species, the north Sulawesi babirusa, is named B. Celebensis. The name "pig-deer" has sometimes also been used in English, and is a direct translation of the Indonesian babi-rusa. The male has highly conspicuous tusks formed from the canine teeth, but their exact shape depends on the species. In the north Sulawesi babirusa, they grow upward through the skull and curve back towards the skull between the eyes, while they lack the strong curve in the Togian babirusa. Both the north Sulawesi and Togian babirusa are nearly bald (with only very fine hairs), but the latter has a relatively distinct tail-tuft. As also suggested by the alternative names for the Buru babirusa, hairy or golden babirusa, it is covered in relatively dense golden hair, resulting in a rather different appearance than the other species.

2. They are omnivores, but mainly feed on fruits. In the north Sulawesi babirusa, males "box" much like rabbits or kangaroos during mating season. Females after 120–150 days have a litter of one or two piglets, in a nest. Little is known about the behavior of the other species of babirusas, but it may match that of the north Sulawesi babirusa. The female has only one pair of teats. The babirusas are protected in Indonesia and poaching is illegal. Yet, a large percent of the inhabitants of Sulawesi and surrounding islands are Christians (in a country otherwise predominantly Muslim), and hunting and pork are major components of their diet and culture. The babirusa is thus considered something of a delicacy. All extant species of babirusa are threatened by hunting and habitat destruction, resulting in them being listed as vulnerable or endangered by the IUCN.

4. 1. Barburisa skull 2. 1.Frontal bone 2. Sagital crest and temporal bone 3. Lacrimal bone 4. Frontal bone 5. Zygomatic bone 6. Mandible 7. Maxilla 8. Infraorbital foramen 9. Insisive bone 10. Nasal bone 3. 4. 5. 6. 10. 9. 8. 7.