What is the primary function attributed to the shorter, sharper lower pair of warthog tusks?
Answer
These are the primary tools used during fierce territorial and mating disputes
Warthogs possess two pairs of tusks, which are elongated canine teeth that grow continuously. The upper pair is longer and serves more for display, often reaching lengths nearing 60 centimeters in mature males. However, the lower pair, while shorter, is kept significantly sharper through abrasion against the upper pair. This sharpness turns the lower tusks into the effective weapons utilized when males engage in serious confrontations, such as establishing territory or competing for access to females during mating season. They are described as the real business end of a fight.
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