Babirusa

Babirusa
Babyrousa celebensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Superorder:	Cetartiodactyla
Order:	Artiodactyla
Family:	Suidae
Subfamily:	Babyrousinae
Genus:	Babyrousa
Species
See text.

Babirusa is a genus in the pig family (Suidae) found in Wallacea in Indonesia. The genus is monotypic within the subfamily Babyrousinae, or alternatively considered to form a tribe, Babyrousini, of the subfamily Suinae. All members of this genus were considered part of a single species until recently, the Babirusa or Pig-deer, B. babyrussa, but following the 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. The split, which uses the phylogenetic species concept, is based on differences in size, amount of hair on body and tail-tuft, and measurements of the skull and teeth. Adult males of all babirusas have conspicuous tusks formed by their greatly elongated canine teeth. They are found in forested areas and are considered to be omnivorous. All extant species of babirusas are threatened by hunting and habitat destruction.

Species

• • Buru Babirusa, Babyrousa babyrussa – also known as the Hairy or Golden Babirusa.
  • †Babyrousa bolabatuensis (subfossil)
  • North Sulawesi Babirusa, Babyrousa celebensis – also known as the Sulawesi Babirusa.
  • Togian Babirusa, Babyrousa togeanensis.