Chemical Composition of Lick Soils and Functions of Soil Ingested by Common Warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus) in Dabena Valley Forest, Western Ethiopia

Abstract

To identify chemical composition of lick soil and function of soil ingested by common warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus), the study was conducted in Gassi Controlled Area (GCHA); southwestern and in Haro Aba Diko Controlled Hunting Area (HADCHA) northeastern Dabena Valley Forest from May 2016 to June 2018. Top soil samples licked by common warthog were taken from 2.5 cm diameter, 20 cm deep soil cores, from five evenly spaced locations around the periphery of the central 60x60 m grid in each feeding plot. Soil samples were dried under shade for one week and then kept at 28°C until analyzed. Samples were homogenized and sieved through 2 mm mesh. The mean proportion of organic carbon in Menjiko (t= 5.21, df=1, P 0.05). Mean potassium concentration in salt lick common warthog ranged from 0.11±0.014 meq/100g (Desa) to 0.246±0.01meq/100g (Robe) during the wet season in Dabena Valley Forest (DVF). Warthogs supplemented their forage intake by licking different mineral elements from the ground. Mineral lick also benefits the animals in regulating the state body equilibrium and defending pathogens invading the animal’s body.