North Sulawesi Babirusa

The North Sulawesi babirusa, Babyrousa celebensis, is a pig-like animal native to northern Sulawesi and the nearby Lembeh Islands in Indonesia. It has two pairs of large tusks composed of enlarged canine teeth. The upper canines penetrate the top of the snout, curving back toward the forehead. The North Sulawesi Babirusa is threatened from hunting and deforestation.

The common and scientific names are various transcriptions of its local name, which literally translated means "pig-deer" (from Malay babi "pig" + rusa "deer" - see also Javan Rusa) in reference to the huge tusks of the male suggestive of a deer's antlers.

Read more about North Sulawesi Babirusa:  Classification, Appearance, Habitat, Captivity

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