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The Babirusa or pig-deer, Babyrousa babyrussa, is a pig-like animal native to Sulawesi and surrounding islands of Indonesia. The babirusa has usually been classified as a single species in the genus Babyrousa, 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. Most experts agree that babirusas are part of the pig family, and are one of the oldest living members of the family, representing a subfamily, Babyrousinae, that branched off from the warthog branch of the pig family (Subfamily Phacochoerini) during the Oligocene or early Miocene.
Its habitat is the underbrush of tropical forests and canebrakes and the shores of rivers and lakes, where its mostly-hairless, mottled-grey-and-brown hide provide it with a degree of camouflage.
The babirusa is known for its two pairs of tusks: both its upper and its lower pairs of canine teeth are greatly enlarged, and curve up and back towards the head; in fact, the upper canines of the male babirusa are so curved and enlarged that they emerge through the flesh, by way of holes, to pass through the top of the snout.
This species is on the endangered list.
Because it is split-hooved and has a three-chambered stomach (and was thus thought to be a ruminant for a long time), there was some dispute in Halakha (Jewish law) as to whether the babirusa pig is, in fact, kosher (permitted according to Jewish dietary laws). Eventually it was found that the animal is not a true ruminant, and thus remains 'trefe' like other pigs.
It is reported (here) that in 2006 a male babirusa and a female domestic pig accidentally interbred in the Copenhagen (Denmark) Zoo. The offspring were 5 hybrid piglets most resembling the babirusa, both in their teeth and skin colour.
<gallery> Image:Babirusa.jpg|Four-tusk babirusa from Indonesian region. Image:Babirusa skull.jpg|Babirusa skull on display at Field Museum. Image:Male-female-babirusa.jpg|Male and female Babirusa (Edinburgh Zoo) Image:Babirusa, Singapore Zoo.JPG|Babirusas sleeping at Singapore Zoo </gallery>