Sus celebensis
Celebes wild boar

Sus celebensis is found in the lower east portion of the oriental region and the upper west portion of the Australian region. Sus celebensis is common in the northern, central and eastern Sulawesi Island. Available evidence supports that this species formerly occured thoughout Sulawesi, as well as the neighboring islands of Selayer, Muna, Buton, Peleng, Lembeh and the Togain Islands. The species is now scarce in Southern Sulawesi and may also be extinct on the neraby Selayar due to the virtual deforestation of these areas. Wild pigs referred to as feral S. celebensis have been extensively introduced in Indonesia on the islands of Halmahera, Flores, Timor, Lendu, Simeuleu, and Nias Islands, and the domesticated forms of S. celebensis can be seen on the islands of Roti and Savur. (Macdonald, 1993)

Celebes wild boars are reported to occur in a wide variety of habitats on the Indonesian Islands, including rainforests, swamps, high grassland terrains, and agricultural areas. They are found at altitudes up to moss forest at about 2300 m, but they prefer valleys. (Huffman, 1999; Parker, 1990)

The coat of S. celebensis is often black in color with yellow and/or white hairs intermixed. Some specimens have been known to be reddish/brown. The ventral side lightens to a creamy off-white with age. There is always a dark dorsal stripe, and a yellow band that encircles the snout. Distinctive tufts of hair are found on the forehead. Piglets are born with five dark brown and six light horizontal stripes along the length of their bodies, which tends to go away after about 6 months of age. (Hooijer, 1969; Huffman, 1999; National Research Council, 1983; Parker, 1990)

Adult males develop three pairs of facial warts. The preorbital pair is the largest, but these do not reach their full size until the pigs are at least 8 years old. All the warts become larger with age. (Hooijer, 1969; Huffman, 1999; National Research Council, 1983; Parker, 1990)

The backs of Sulawesi warty pigs are short and slightly convex. These animals have relatively short legs, and a long tail that is simply tufted. Body length has been recored at 80 to 130 cm, and shoulder height at 70 cm. Adult males are larger than sows, averaging 60 cm at the shoulder. These swine can weigh any where from 40 to 70 kg. Recent forms are larger than the sub-fossil remains found in caves in Southern Sulawesi. (Hooijer, 1969; Huffman, 1999; National Research Council, 1983; Parker, 1990)

Data are lacking on longevity in the wild, but most members of the genus Sus are thought to live a maximum of 10 years in the wild. Rarely has this species been raised in captivity outside Sulawesi, and as far as it is known, pure-bred animals have never been produced in captivity. The longevity of this species in captivity is greater than 9 years. (Macdonald, 1993; Nowak, 1999)

There have been no detailed studies of the behavioral ecology of Celebes wild boars. Celebes wild boars are thought to be social. The basic social unit is the family group, 2 to 3 family groups associating in larger groups or herds. (Huffman, 1999; Parker, 1990)

Males of the genus Sus are thought to be mainly solitary, except during breeding. Some forms of physical aggression, including, leaning, shoving, and open mouth attacks have been reported. (Nowak, 1999)

Pigs are usually reported to be mainly crepuscular and nocturnal. Sus celebensis is therefore an exception, as it is mainly a diurnal forager. Other members of the genus have been reported to wander a long way seasonally, as different sources of food become available. Information on the specific distances traveled by S. celebensis is not available. (Huffman, 1999; Nowak, 1999)

Other members of the genus have been reported to construct a crude form of shelter or canopy from matted grasses. This apparently helps them remain cool. All members of the genus are thought to wallow in mud when able. (Nowak, 1999)

Home Range

The size of home ranges for members of this species has not been reported. However, within the genus, estimated home range sizes are 500 to 1000 hectares for females, and 1000 to 2000 hectares for males. (Nowak, 1999)

There is no information on the communication habits of the S. celebensis. However, as mammals, it is likely that they utilize some combination of visual, accoustic, tactile, and chemical communication.

Most feeding activity occurs during the daylight hours, with more activity in the early morning and late afternoon. Celebes wild boars are omnivorous and their diet consists of roots, fruits, leaves, shoots, carrion, and insects. (Huffman, 1999; Macdonald, 1993)

The only known predator of this species is humans through hunting. It is likely that there are other predators, however, as the striped pattern of young pigs is typically interpreted as a form of camouflage. (Huffman, 1999; Nowak, 1999)

No information could be found on the specific ecosystem roles of S. celebensis. However, it is likely that their foraging behavior has some impact on local plant and insect communities. Because pigs root, it is likely that they help to aerate the soil. (Nowak, 1999)

There are no know adverse affects that S. celebensis has on human economies. It might be speculated, however, that in agricultural areas, these pigs might present a problem as crop pests.

Wild piglets that are caught by villagers in Sulawesi are kept and are usually raised for slaughter for eating or sold at the local market. The Minahasa people consider wild pig meat to be superior to the domestic pork and are willing to pay 20 to 50% more for it. However, resources are insufficient to enforce controls on hunting and there are reports that organized commercial hunting is continuing even on designated reserves and national parks. Brief surveys of three villages markets in northeast Sulawesi concluded that about 2 to 20 wild pigs per week were being brought by these commercial hunters and slaughtered by butchers when needed. (Blouch, 1990; Macdonald, 1993; Smite, 1982)

Sus celebensis is a common species, and is not listed by the IUCN. It is locally abundant, and cannot be regarded as seriously threatened throughout its range at the present time. Budiarso states that he recorded 2,317 pigs harvested in the regions of Northern Sulawesi during 12 months in 1990 to 1991, and found that females are more susceptible to these commercial hunting operations which may make heavily exploited populations vulnerable. With the expansion of human settlements , S. celebensis is threatened by a combination of habitat loss and genetic contamiantion and/or disease through increased contact with imported domestic pigs Sus scrofa. (Budiarso, 1991; Macdonald, 1993)

The distributioon of Celebes wild boars has been greatly increased by humans, because these pigs were introduced to Halmahera, Flores and Timor when they become part of the local menu. On Roti, they were bred as domestic animals, but probably as a hybrid with Asian pigs. On Moluccas, the Aru Islands, and New Guinea (where they are known as Papua Pigs), piglets of this species have been reported to have actually been raised by the native women on their own breast milk! These pigs live half-tame and half-wild, voluntarily returning to the settlement at night when they are signaled by different drum signals of various owners. (Huffman, 1999; Parker, 1990)