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The babirusas, also called deer-pigs (), are a genus, Babyrousa, in the Suidae found in the islands of Sulawesi, Togian Islands, Sula Islands and Buru. Previously all members of this genus were considered part of a single species, B. babyrussa, but in 2002 they were split into several species. The Buru babirusa is now restricted to animals from Buru and Sula, whereas the best-known species, the North Sulawesi babirusa, is named B. celebensis.Meijaard, E., & C. Groves. (2002). Proposal for taxonomic changes within the genus Babyrousa. Asian Wild Pig News 2 (1), 9–10. The males have prominent upwards incurving canine tusks, which pierce the flesh in the snout.
All species of babirusa are listed as threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
All members of the genus were considered part of a single species, the babirusa or pig-deer, B. babyrussa. After they were 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 the body and tail-tuft, and measurements of the skull and teeth.
| Sula Islands of Mangole and Taliabu. |
| Sulawesi. |
| Sulawesi |
| Togian Islands |
B. babyrussa beruensis was described as an extinct, Pleistocene subspecies from southwestern Sulawesi before babirusas were split into multiple species.
Babirusas also vary by species in other characteristics. The golden babirusa has a long, thick pelage that is white, creamy gold, black or gold overall, and black at the rump. The pelage of the Togian babirusa is also long but not as that of the golden babirusa. The Togian babirusa has a tawny, brown, or black pelage that is darker on the upper parts than in the lower parts. The North Sulawesi babirusa has very short hair and appears bald. The female babirusa has only one pair of .BBC (2010). Babirusa. Downloaded 18 April 2010.
Males tend to live solitarily while adult females can be found in groups with young.Patry, Maurice; Leus, Kristin; Macdonald, Alastair A (1995) "Group Structure and Behaviour of Babirusa ( Babyrousa babyrussa) in Northern Sulawesi", Australian Journal of Zoology, 43:643–655. Groups of females and young may number up to 84 individuals, most of which contain no adult males. Males rarely travel in pairs or trios. There are almost never more than three adult females in a group.Patry M , Leus K Macdonald AA (1995) Group structure and behaviour of babirusa ( Babyrousa babyrussa) in northern Sulawesi. Australian Journal of Zoology 43, 643–655. The tusks of the adult males are used in intraspecific fighting. The upper tusks are for defense while the lower tusks are offensive weapons.J. MacKinnon, (1981) "The structure and function of the tusks of babirusa", Mammal Review'', 11(1):37-40. If a male babirusa does not grind his tusks (achievable through regular activity), they can eventually keep growing and, rarely, penetrate the individual's skull.
Female babirusa cycle lengths are between 28 and 42 days and estrus last 2–3 days. The litter size for a babirusa is usually one or two piglets.
The Hindu-era Court of Justice pavilion and the "floating pavilion" of Klungkung palace ruins are notable for painted babirusa Rakshasa () on the ceilings.
Prehistoric paintings of babirusa found in caves on the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia have been dated back at least 35,400 years (to the ice age Pleistocene epoch). , who co-authored the 2014 study dating the paintings, said "The paintings of the wild animals are most fascinating because it is clear they were of particular interest to the artists themselves."
The babirusa has sparked debate among Jewish scholars and animal researchers about whether it is considered Kosher foods, or permissible to be consumed by Jews, according to Kashrut. The debate centers around whether the animal chews its cud, which is a requirement according to the Old Testament for an animal to be considered kosher. Some experts, like J. David Bleich, a professor of Halakha and ethics at Yeshiva University, believe that the babirusa does not meet the physical criteria to be considered kosher, challenging the assertion that the babirusa chews its cud by citing a report from 1940 that found that true rumination could not take place in the animal's stomach. However, he also notes that Jews can eat any food that is not expressly forbidden and that "the babirusa's resemblance to a pig in appearance and taste is not sufficient grounds for banning its consumption as kosher meat." Others, such as Fuller Bazer, an animal science professor at the University of Florida, believe that the animal is kosher due to its cloven hoof and cud chewing. Additionally, it has been noted that the babirusa is an endangered species and that most Muslims, who face Halal restrictions, would avoid eating the meat of any animal whose status in religious law is uncertain.
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