Warthog Bronze Sculpture. MC Keane.
Michael’s sculpture has successfully captured the characteristics of the Warthog. He has used as little base or mount as possible to illustrate the light spring-like trot of the Warthog. The large head swayed to one side with big ears cocked, always on the lookout for predators and of course a female.
Warthogs… Some interesting facts.
The warthog is found in South and East Sahara Africa. They are the only Pig capable of surviving in this hot climate. Male and female are distinguished by disproportionately large heads. The name wart comes from the four large protrusions on the head. They are fat reserves and are also used in defence.
Warthogs are immediately identifiable by pairs of tusks protruding from the mouth. These are used for digging and defence against predators. The long tail ends with a tuft of bristles. They characteristically carry their tail upright like a flag. Warthogs trot with a springy gait, they can also run surprisingly fast.
Warthogs have patches on their faces that look like warts, but are just thick growths of skin. These patches act as padding for when males fight during mating season.
Like their relatives, the warthog is a plump, hooved animal with large nostrils at the end of the snout. They have little fur, except for a mane that goes down the spine to the middle of the back. Their tails also end with a tuft of hair.
They have large teeth or tusks. Common warthogs have two upper and four to six lower incisors. The Desert Warthog lack incisors. The upper tusks grow up to 10 or 11 inches (25 to 30 centimeters) long.
Female warthogs, called sows, are social animals and live in groups called sounders, which can contain up to 40 members. Females groom each other and huddle together at night for warmth. Adult males aren’t as social and can be territorial. Often, they live alone.
Courtesy of: https://www.livescience.com/58337-warthog-facts.html
Back to Gallery: https://mckeanesculptor.ie/sculpture-gallery-including-dragons-portraits-gargoyles-and-plaques/