North Sulawesi babirusa North Sulawesi babirusa The North Sulawesi babirusa, "Babyrousa celebensis", is a pig-like animal native to Sulawesi and some nearby islands (Lembeh, Buton and Muna) in Indonesia. It has two pairs of large tusks composed of enlarged canine teeth. The upper canines penetrate the top of the snout, curving back toward the forehead. The North Sulawesi babirusa is threatened from hunting and deforestation. The common and scientific names are various transcriptions of its local name, which literally translated means "pig-deer" (from Indonesian "babi", "pig" + "rusa", "deer" – see also Javan rusa) in reference to the huge tusks of the male
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