North Sulawesi babirusa suggestive of a deer's antlers. Together with the other members of the genus "Babyrousa", the North Sulawesi babirusa has usually been considered a subspecies of a widespread "Babyrousa babyrussa", but recent work suggests that there may be several species, differentiable on the basis of geography, body size, amount of body hair, and the shape of the upper canine tooth of the male. Following the split, the "true" "Babyrousa babyrussa" is restricted to Buru and the Sula Islands. Most experts agree that babirusas are part of the pig family, and are one of the oldest living members of the family, representing
Buru babirusa gestation period lasts 150–157 days. The females have two rows of teats and will give birth to 1–2 piglets weighing 380–1050 grams and measuring 15–20 cm, which they will nurse until the age of 6–8 months. The lifespan is about 24 years. The restricted habitat of the Buru babirusa, with the total area within 20,000 km², and its gradual loss due to logging persuaded the International Union for Conservation of Nature to declare the species as vulnerable. Hunting by the local population is another cause of concern. Whereas it is unpopular among Muslim communities for religious reasons, it is widely