By Kakae Saiteu, Guide - Greystoke MahaleWarthogs are often one of the first animals seen upon arrival at Greystoke Mahale, resting near the tents or in the shade of trees on the beach. They are also frequently observed at the front of the tents, drinking from the water bowls that the guests use to wash the sand off their feet.
On 10 December, 2008, a pair of warthogs were seen courting in an open area, 15 metres from the mess building. The boar (male) spent much time sniffing the sow’s (female) genitals, grooming her coat with his mouth, and making mouth-to-mouth contact (which could be perceived as kissing). When the sow was laying on her side, the boar kept on grooming and nudging her flanks---apparently in an attempt to get her up, but he was unsuccessful. He then gave up and laid down beside the sow. About 1 minute later the sow got up and groomed the boar’s coat for about 2 minutes. He responded by standing up, and again groomed the sow and sniffed her genitals before stretching and repeatedly attempting to rest his chin on her rump. The boar’s chin resting on the sow’s rump is the final step/stimulus prior to mating. Fully receptive sows then typically stand for the boar to mate her.
On this occasion, despite all this courtship activity, the sow never stood for the boar, but kept darting away. The courting that we saw lasted for about 40 minutes, after which both warthogs walked into the nearby bush and out of sight.
