Babirusa actually pierce the flesh in the snout. All species of babirusa are listed as threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), shown on their Red List since at least 2010 and current in 2017. The genus is monotypic within the subfamily Babyrousinae, or alternatively considered to form a tribe, Babyrousini, of the subfamily Suinae. To date, only one fossil skull has been found to suggest a larger ancestor. All members of the genus were considered part of a single species until recently, the babirusa or pig-deer, "B. babyrussa", but following the split into several species, this scientific
Buru babirusa data on "B. babyrussa", it is generally assumed that its habitat and ecology are similar to that of "B. celebensis" (north Sulawesi babirusa). Furthermore, as all babirusas were considered conspecific under the scientific name "B. babyrussa" until 2001, data collected before that is consistently listed under the name "B. babyrussa", though the vast majority actually refers to "B. celebensis" (by far the best known species of babirusa). Babirusas tend to occupy tropical rainforests, river banks and various natural ponds rich in water plants. They are omnivorous and feed on various leaves, roots, fruits, invertebrates and small vertebrates. Their jaws and