"Deer Pigs"
Jean-Philippe Guillaume | January 26, 2026
Arguably, the scariest pig in the world is the formidable Babirusa. Also known as, “deer-pigs,” the Babirusa is a member of the mammalian swine family that lives on the Indonesian islands in Southeast Asia. Their distinct feature is the long incurving upward tusks that grow through the flesh of their snout.
Babirusas live in tropical rainforests on the banks of rivers. Thanks to poaching and the fact that they are considered delicious, this species is endangered. There are three species of this pig - Buru, North Sulawesi, and Togian Babirusas.
They vary in size and color but are usually some form of brown and black. Two species have some downy hair, while the Togian Babirusa appears bald. They tend to be slightly larger than the average farm pig.
The Babirusa’s diet is similar to other members of the swine family: leaves, nuts, roots, and animal material. Oddly enough, they eat a lot of dirt and rock, a habit which scientists don’t understand. Another oddity is that these pigs lack a rostral bone, a bone at the end of most pig’s snouts that enable them to dig and root around in the dirt. This lack of the rostral bone makes for a floppy snout that is unable to root around.
These pigs live in small groups, with one male to about three females. Male Babirusas often battle each other with their sharp tusks and rise up on their hind legs. These tusks can be up to about a foot long, but if they are not ground regularly, there have been rare occasions where they pierce the skull.
The Babirusa is an amazing and unique animal. Viewing and studying it in detail can help us appreciate God’s creation all the more.