Javan Warty Pig

Recognizable by three sets of facial lumps, the Javan Warty Pig is a heavy-set animal found only on the islands of Bawean and Java. These black-coated pigs feature reddish patches on their bellies and heads, with a mane of hair running along the spine. While the smallest lumps sit above their tusks, the largest pair is positioned beneath the ears. These features grow as the animal matures. Adult males are the largest wild pigs on the island, reaching 108.2 kg, which is more than double the weight of the 44 kg females. Unlike some other species, their young are born with a solid color rather than stripes.

Travellers might spot these pigs in secondary forests or grasslands, usually at altitudes under 800 m. They are primarily active at night or during the twilight hours, spending most of their time alone or in small groups of up to four. If a predator approaches, they flee with their tails curved and upright. Their diet sometimes includes raiding agricultural crops, which leads to conflict with local farmers. Beyond being killed as pests or for trophies by hunters, the species faces a loss of habitat to human farming. They also face a biological threat from banded pigs, which compete for food and interbreed with them to create hybrids. With a wild population estimated as low as 172 to 377 individuals, their numbers continue to fall.