Have you ever seen a warthog bob for watermelon? What about TWO warthogs? Dr. Mark Penning shared a video of a warthog pair enjoying the snack at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Instagram.
Warthogs Bob for Watermelon
The two African hogs picked chunks of watermelon out of a big water trough prepared by their keepers. The treat was delivered in a backstage area, but guests can sometimes see the hogs in-person on Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Watch the sweet video below:
Relatives like the babirusa can also be seen at the park’s Oasis exhibits, while red river hogs reside at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Animal care experts create engaging habitats for the hogs and other “wild” residents with activities that reinforce their natural behaviors, social structures, and pastimes. Warthog enrichment activities include:
- Pigging Out: In addition to their daily meals, hogs are provided with stimulating puzzle-feeders and special snacks hidden throughout the exhibit to promote curiosity. This kind of enrichment encourages the hogs to investigate new sights, root out the source of new smells, and interact with their environment.
- Wallow Away: To cool off, hogs love to settle in for a mud bath. Coating themselves in a layer of mud also protects their skin from the harsh sun and biting flies in the wild. Mud wallow sites are placed in their exhibits so Guests can get a good view.
- Animal Training: Disney often needs to shift the hogs from one part of the savanna to another so animal care experts can maintain the grounds after the hogs have had a busy day of digging, rooting, and foraging. Using positive reinforcement, the hogs are trained to respond to audio cues that indicate when it is time to relocate to another section of the savanna.
Dr. Mark Penning is leaving his position as vice president of animals, sciences, and environment for Disney Experiences to become the director of the North Carolina Zoo.
Do you love seeing the various hogs at Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Let us know on social media.
For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
