common warthog vs Lion

Phacochoerus africanus compared with Panthera leo

Key Differences

  • common warthog is Least Concern while Lion is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank common warthog Lion
Kingdom same Animalia (hewan) Animalia (hewan)
Phylum same Chordata (Chordates) Chordata (Chordates)
Class same Mammalia (mamalia) Mammalia (mamalia)
Order Artiodactyla (Hewan berkuku genap) Carnivora (Carnivorans)
Family Suidae (Pigs) Felidae (Cats)
Genus Phacochoerus Panthera (Big Cats)
Species Phacochoerus africanus Panthera leo

Evolutionary Relationship

common warthog and Lion share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (mamalia)

Conservation Status

common warthog

LC — Least Concern

Lion

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~23.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Physical Characteristics

Attribute common warthog Lion
Diet Carnivore
Average Lifespan 15 years
Average Length 2.5 m
Average Weight 190.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

common warthog

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across South Africa and United States.

Lion

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, and flooded grasslands and savannas, among 7 distinct biome types spanning the Afrotropic and Neotropic and Oceanian realms. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Distributed across Colombia, Ecuador, and Kenya. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

common warthog

<em>Phacochoerus africanus</em>, commonly known as the common warthog, is a wild member of the family Suidae (pigs) widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa, inhabiting a broad swath of savanna, grassland, and open woodland habitats from Senegal and Ethiopia south to South Africa and Namibia. This species is highly adaptable and typically occupies open or lightly wooded landscapes with short grass and access to wallowing sites and water. <em>Phacochoerus africanus</em> is immediately recognizable by the prominent facial "warts" — enlarged dermal structures on the snout that are larger in males — and the impressive upward-curving tusks formed from elongated canine teeth used in defense and social competition. Warthogs are omnivorous but primarily herbivorous, feeding on grasses, roots, bulbs, bark, and fallen fruit, and are notable for the distinctive posture of kneeling on their front "wrist" pads while rooting for food. They use burrows excavated by other animals, particularly aardvarks, for shelter and rearing young. Natural predators include lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, and crocodiles. The species is currently assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN, with populations stable and abundant across protected areas. Population trend data is stable. Biological traits including average lifespan of up to 15 years, body lengths of 90 to 150 centimeters, and weights of 45 to 150 kilograms are documented across the literature.

Lion

The largest wild cat in Africa, lions reach up to 250 kg and are the only social felids, living in prides across sub-Saharan savannas and grasslands. Males are distinguished by their iconic manes. As apex predators, they regulate herbivore populations and maintain ecosystem balance. Listed as Vulnerable due to habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict.

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