In the Mix: Patterns of Warthog Herding Behaviour in Single- and Mixed-Species Herds

Abstract

Forming mixed-species herds is a common antipredator behaviour of many African herbivores. Here, we quantify the degree to which the common warthog uses herding behaviour as a strategy to potentially reduce risk. We found that warthog occurred in mixed-species herds ~50% of the time and that total herd size of mixed-species herds was significantly larger than single-species herds. We observed that impala—a preferred prey species for several carnivores—were warthog's most common heterospecific herd mate. Finally, within mixed-species herds, warthog orientated themselves so that they were most commonly found to be surrounded by heterospecifics by 180°.