View source for Babirusa

{{short description|Genus of mammals in the swine family}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| image = Hirscheber1a.jpg
| image_caption = A male [[North Sulawesi babirusa]]; only the adult males possess the distinctive tusks.
| parent_authority = Thenius, 1970
| taxon = Babyrousa
| authority = Perry, 1811
| type_species = ''[[Babyrousa babyrussa|Babyrousa quadricornua]]'' <ref>{{MSW3|id=14200008}}</ref>
| type_species_authority = Perry, 1811
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision = 3–4, ''See text.''
}}
The '''babirusas''', also called '''deer-pigs''' ({{langx|id|babi rusa}}<ref>{{cite book|last=Skeat|first=Walter W.|title=A Concise Etymological Dictionary of the English Language|publisher=Clarendon Press|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.15458|access-date=17 July 2012|year=1901|page=[https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.15458/page/n53 35]}}</ref>), are a [[genus]], '''''Babyrousa''''', in the [[Suidae|swine family]] found in the [[Indonesia]]n islands of [[Sulawesi]], [[Togian Islands|Togian]], [[Sula Islands|Sula]] and [[Buru]].<ref name= MSW3>{{MSW3 Artiodactyla | id = 14200008 | page = 637}}</ref> All members of this genus were considered part of a single species until 2002, the babirusa, ''B. babyrussa'', but following that was 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''.<ref name= taxonomy>Meijaard, E., & C. Groves. (2002). ''Proposal for taxonomic changes within the genus Babyrousa.'' Asian Wild Pig News 2 (1), 9–10.</ref> The males have prominent upwards incurving canine tusks, which pierce the flesh in the snout.<ref name="ADW">{{cite web|url=http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Babyrousa_babyrussa/|title=''Babyrousa babyrussa''|access-date=2015-12-02|publisher=Animal Diversity Web}}</ref>

All species of babirusa are listed as threatened by the [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]] (IUCN).<ref name=RedList2010 />

== Classification ==
The genus is [[monotypic]] within the [[subfamily]] Babyrousinae, or alternatively considered to form a [[Tribe (biology)|tribe]], Babyrousini, of the subfamily [[Suinae]]. To date, only one fossil skull has been found to suggest a larger ancestor.<ref>Ian Metcalfe, ''Faunal and floral migrations and evolution in SE Asia-Australasia''CRC Press, 2001. {{ISBN|978-90-5809-349-3}}. 416 pages: pp338.</ref>

All members of the genus were considered part of a single species, the babirusa or pig-deer, ''B. babyrussa''. After they were split into several species, this scientific name is restricted to the Buru babirusa from Buru and the Sula Islands, whereas the best-known species, the north Sulawesi babirusa, is named ''B. celebensis''.<ref name= taxonomy /> The split, which uses the [[phylogenetic species concept]], is based on differences in size, amount of hair on the body and tail-tuft, and measurements of the skull and teeth.<ref name= taxonomy />

=== Species ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Image !! Name !! Distribution
|-
|[[File:Бабирусса Babyrousa babyrussa.jpg|120px]] || [[Buru babirusa]] (''B. babyrussa''), also known as the hairy or golden babirusa || Sula Islands of Mangole and Taliabu.
|-
| || [[Bola Batu babirusa]] (''B. bolabatuensis'') || Sulawesi.
|-
|[[File:Babirusa (29411754088).jpg|120px]] ||[[North Sulawesi babirusa]] (''B. celebensis''), also known as the Sulawesi babirusa ||Sulawesi 
|-
|[[File:Babyrousa togeanensis.jpg|120px]] || [[Togian babirusa]] (''B. togeanensis'') ||Togian Islands 
|-
|}

''B. babyrussa beruensis'' was described as an extinct, [[Pleistocene]] subspecies from southwestern Sulawesi before babirusas were split into multiple species.

== Description ==
[[File:Babyrousa celebensis - Crane.jpg|thumb|left|Skull of a male North Sulawesi babirusa ({{convert|37|cm|in|abbr=in|disp=or}} long).]]
Babirusas are notable for the long upper canines in the males. The upper canines of males emerge vertically from the [[alveolar process]], penetrating through the skin and curving backward over the front of the face and towards the forehead.<ref name=MacDonald1993>MacDonald, A. A. 1993. The Babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa). In: W. L. R. Oliver (ed.), Pigs, Peccaries, and Hippos: Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan, IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Nasoori|first=A|year=2020|title=Tusks, the extra-oral teeth |journal=Archives of Oral Biology|volume=117|page=104835|doi=10.1016/j.archoralbio.2020.104835|pmid=32668361|s2cid=220585014}}</ref> The lower canines also grow upwards. The canines of females are either reduced or absent.<ref name=MacDonald1993 /> The structure of the male's canines varies by species. In the golden babirusa, the upper canines are short and slender with the alveolar rotated forward to allow the lower canines to cross the lateral view.<ref name=MacDonald1993 /> The Togian babirusa also has the same characteristics and the upper canines always converge. The North Sulawesi babirusa has long and thick upper canines with a vertically implanted alveolar. This causes the upper canines to emerge vertically and not cross with the lower canines.<ref>Groves, C. 1980. Notes on the systematics of Babyrousa (Artiodactyla, Suidae). Zoologische Mededelingen 55:29–46.</ref>

Babirusas also vary by species in other characteristics. The golden babirusa has a long, thick pelage that is white, creamy gold, black or gold overall, and black at the rump.<ref name=MacDonald1993 /> The pelage of the Togian babirusa is also long but not as that of the golden babirusa. The Togian babirusa has a tawny, brown, or black pelage that is darker on the upper parts than in the lower parts.<ref name=MacDonald1993 /> The North Sulawesi babirusa has very short hair and appears bald. The female babirusa has only one pair of [[teat]]s.<ref name=BBC>[[BBC]] (2010). ''[http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/597.shtml Babirusa.]'' Downloaded 18 April 2010.</ref>

== Biology and ecology ==
[[File:Babirusa berkelahi - edited.jpg|thumb|Two babirusas fighting in Indonesia.]]
[[File:Babirusa Skeleton.jpg|thumb|[[North Sulawesi babirusa]] skeleton ([[Museum of Osteology]])]]
Babirusas are native to [[Sulawesi]], some of the [[Togian Islands]], the [[Sula Islands]], and [[Buru]].<ref name=MacDonald1993 /> In Sulawesi, they range from the [[Minahasa Peninsula]] to the provinces of [[South Sulawesi]] and [[Southeast Sulawesi]]. Although they are present on both Sulawesi and Sula, they are not found on the large islands between the two, the [[Banggai Islands Regency|Banggai Archipelago]]. It has been hypothesized that the unusual distribution may be due to their being transported by humans as gifts bestowed by native royalty.<ref name=Umberto>Umberto Albarella, [[Keith Dobney]], Anton Ervynck: 2007. ''Pigs and humans: 10,000 years of interaction'' Oxford University Press 2007. {{ISBN|978-0-19-920704-6}}. 454 pages: pp20.</ref> The preferred habitat of babirusa is tropical rainforest along river banks.<ref name=MacDonald1993 /> It appears that they have been confined to the higher grounds in the interior despite occurring in lowland areas near coasts in the past.<ref name=MacDonald1993 /> They are active during the daytime. Like all pig species, babirusa has an omnivorous diet with an intestinal tract similar to that of the domestic pig.<ref>Langer, P. (1988): The Mammalian Herbivore Stomach – Comparative Anatomy, Function and Evolution. Gustav Fischer, Stuttgart and New York: 136–161.</ref> The stomach [[diverticulum]] of a babirusa is enlarged which may indicate that it is a [[ruminant]] but evidence shows otherwise.<ref name=MacDonald1993 /> Because it does not have a rostral bone in the nose, a babirusa does not dig with its snout like other pigs do except in mud and swampy grounds. The diet of the babirusa includes leaves, roots, fruits and animal material. The strong jaws of a babirusa are capable of easily cracking hard nuts.<ref name=MacDonald1993 />

Males tend to live solitarily while adult females can be found in groups with young.<ref name=Patry>Patry, Maurice; Leus, Kristin; Macdonald, Alastair A (1995) "Group Structure and Behaviour of Babirusa (''Babyrousa babyrussa'') in Northern Sulawesi", Australian Journal of ''Zoology'', 43:643–655.</ref> Groups of females and young may number up to 84 individuals, most of which contain no adult males. Males rarely travel in pairs or trios.<ref name=Patry /> There are almost never more than three adult females in a group.<ref>Patry M , Leus K Macdonald AA (1995) Group structure and behaviour of babirusa (''Babyrousa babyrussa) in northern Sulawesi. Australian Journal of Zoology 43, 643–655.</ref> The tusks of the adult males are used in intraspecific fighting. The upper tusks are for defense while the lower tusks are offensive weapons.<ref>J. MacKinnon, (1981) "The structure and function of the tusks of babirusa", ''Mammal Review'', 11(1):37-40.</ref> If a male babirusa does not grind his tusks (achievable through regular activity), they can eventually keep growing and, rarely, penetrate the individual's skull.<!-- at which time, does it kill them? --><ref>{{cite web|url=http://scienceblogs.com/tetrapodzoology/2010/03/08/babirusa-impales-own-head/|title=Babirusas can get impaled by their own teeth: that most sought-after of objects does exist! (babirusas, part VIII)|work=Tetrapod Zoology}}</ref>

Female babirusa cycle lengths are between 28 and 42 days and estrus last 2–3 days.<ref name=MacDonald1993 /> The litter size for a babirusa is usually one or two piglets.<ref name=MacDonald1993 />

== Relationship with humans ==
In Indonesia, the striking appearance of the babirusa has inspired demonic masks.<ref name=ARKive>{{cite web |url=http://www.arkive.org/sulawesi-babirusa/babyrousa-celebensis/ |title=Sulawesi babirusa (Babyrousa celebensis) |work=[[ARKive]] |access-date=17 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120411053846/http://www.arkive.org/sulawesi-babirusa/babyrousa-celebensis/ |archive-date=11 April 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[Bali]]nese Hindu-era Court of Justice pavilion and the "floating pavilion" of [[Klungkung]] palace ruins are notable for painted babirusa ''[[Rakshasa|raksasa]]'' ([[grotesque]]s) on the ceilings.<ref name=Umberto />

Prehistoric paintings of babirusa found in caves on the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia have been dated back at least 35,400 years (to the ice age Pleistocene epoch). {{ill|Adam Brumm|qid=Q88329455|s=1|v=sup}}, who co-authored the 2014 study dating the paintings, said "The paintings of the wild animals are most fascinating because it is clear they were of particular interest to the artists themselves."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sample|first1=Ian|title=35,000-year-old Indonesian cave paintings suggest art came out of Africa|url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/oct/08/cave-art-indonesia-sulawesi|access-date=14 November 2015|work=The Guardian|date=9 October 2014|quote="The paintings of the wild animals are most fascinating because it is clear they were of particular interest to the artists themselves", said Brumm.}}</ref>

The babirusa has sparked debate among Jewish scholars and animal researchers about whether it is considered [[Kosher foods|kosher]], or permissible to be consumed by Jews, according to [[Kashrut|Jewish dietary laws]]. The debate centers around whether the animal chews its [[cud]], which is a requirement according to the [[Old Testament]] for an animal to be considered kosher. Some experts, like [[J. David Bleich]], a professor of [[Halakha|Jewish law]] and ethics at [[Yeshiva University]], believe that the babirusa does not meet the physical criteria to be considered kosher, challenging the assertion that the babirusa chews its cud by citing a report from 1940 that found that true rumination could not take place in the animal's stomach. However, he also notes that Jews can eat any food that is not expressly forbidden and that "the babirusa's resemblance to a pig in appearance and taste is not sufficient grounds for banning its consumption as kosher meat." Others, such as Fuller Bazer, an animal science professor at the University of Florida, believe that the animal is kosher due to its [[cloven hoof]] and cud chewing. Additionally, it has been noted that the babirusa is an endangered species and that most Muslims, who face similar dietary restrictions, would avoid eating the meat of any animal whose status in religious law is uncertain.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dart |first=John |date=1985-02-19 |title=This Little Piggy Not Likely to Be on Kosher Menus |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-02-19-mn-376-story.html |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Scholar Questions Whether The Babirusa Chews Its Cud |url=https://apnews.com/article/9cc9d764daef8fbae8f78b6a7c50f61e |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}}</ref>

== Conservation status ==
Babirusas are protected in Indonesia and killing them is illegal in most cases.  However, [[poaching]] remains a significant threat to the babirusa.  Additionally, commercial logging operations threaten the babirusa by [[habitat loss]], and also reduce cover, making the babirusa more exposed to poachers.<ref name=ARKive /> All [[extant taxon|extant]] species of babirusa are listed as [[Vulnerable species|vulnerable]] or [[Endangered species|endangered]] by the [[IUCN]].<ref name=RedList2010>{{cite web |url=http://www.iucnredlist.org/search |title=IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Version 2010.1 |year=2010 |access-date= 18 April 2010}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline}}
*{{Wikispecies-inline}}
* {{cite web|last1=San Diego Zoo|author-link1=San Diego Zoo|title=First-ever Sulawesi Babirusa 'Figlets' Born at the San Diego Zoo|url=http://zoonooz.sandiegozoo.org/2016/09/21/first-ever-sulawesi-babirusa-figlets-born-at-the-san-diego-zoo/|website=ZOONOOZ|location=[[San Diego]], [[California]], [[United States]]|date=21 September 2016}}

{{Artiodactyla|S.}}
{{Indonesia topics}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q232558}}

[[Category:Suidae]]
[[Category:Wallacea]]
[[Category:Indonesian words and phrases]]
[[Category:Endemic fauna of Indonesia]]
[[Category:Mammals of Indonesia]]