The main defensive weapon of an African warthog is its tusks.
A warthog has two pairs of enlarged canine teeth that grow into tusks. The upper tusks curve outward and upward, while the lower tusks are shorter and sharpened through repeated rubbing against the upper pair. Warthogs can use these teeth for defense against predators and during fights with rivals.
The visible facial “warts” are thickened patches of skin. They are not true warts and do not serve as the animal’s primary weapons. The name refers to these protective facial growths, which may help shield the eyes and face during confrontations.
When threatened, a warthog may run toward a burrow and enter backward, presenting its tusks to an approaching predator. It often kneels on its front legs while feeding, an unusual posture among African hoofed mammals.