The
babirusas, also called
pig-deer (modern ) are a
genus,
Babyrousa, in the
pig family (
Suidae) found in
Wallacea, or specifically the
Indonesian islands of
Sulawesi,
Togian,
Sula and
Buru. All members of this genus were considered part of a single species until 2002, the babirusa,
B. babyrussa, but following the split into several species, this scientific name is restricted to the
Buru babirusa from Buru and Sula, whereas the best-known species, the
north Sulawesi babirusa, is named
B. celebensis. The remarkable "prehistoric" appearance of these mammals is largely due to the prominent upwards incurving canine tusks of the males, which actually pierce the flesh in the snout. If a babirusa does not grind its tusks (achievable through regular activity), they can eventually keep growing so as to penetrate the animal's own skull.