Quick answer
IUCN status: VulnerableSulawesi babirusa at a glance
The Sulawesi babirusa (Babyrousa celebensis) is a mammal in the family Suidae. Range in Indonesia: Sulawesi; taxonomic scope follows the specialist group. It is endemic to Indonesia, living naturally only in Sulawesi; central/eastern/southeastern taxonomy remains unresolved. Muna, Buton and Lembeh records do not establish current presence.. Diet: omnivore; a omnivore. IUCN Red List status: Vulnerable.
| Scientific name | Babyrousa celebensis |
|---|---|
| Indonesian name | Babirusa Sulawesi |
| Group | Mammals |
| Family | Suidae |
| Range in Indonesia | Sulawesi; taxonomic scope follows the specialist group |
| Linked habitats | Tropical Rainforests |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Male feature | Curving upper tusks |
| IUCN status | Vulnerable · IUCN SSC Wild Pig Specialist Group — Sulawesi babirusa |
| Body size | Head-body length 85–110 cm; weight up to 100 kg · IUCN SSC Wild Pig Specialist Group — Sulawesi babirusa |
| Diet type | Omnivore (eats plants and animals) — leaves, roots and fruit; anatomy and captive observations support omnivory, but wild diet remains poorly studied · iucn-wpsg.org |
| Reproduction | Giving birth to live young (viviparous) · Animal Diversity Web |
| Active | Diurnal (active by day) — The conclusion rests mainly on captive observations, consistent with North Sulawesi night-activity records. · IUCN SSC Wild Pig Specialist Group — Sulawesi babirusa: activity patterns |
| Endemic to Indonesia | Yes — Sulawesi; central/eastern/southeastern taxonomy remains unresolved. Muna, Buton and Lembeh records do not establish current presence. · iucn-wpsg.org |
In this guide (11)
Babirusa is not one profile for every island
Older literature used Babyrousa babyrussa broadly; that name now refers to the Moluccan babirusa. The specialist group applies B. celebensis to Sulawesi while the identity of central, eastern and southeastern populations remains unresolved. This guide follows that provisional scope rather than presenting all taxonomic boundaries as settled.
Evidence: IUCN SSC Wild Pig Specialist Group — Sulawesi babirusa ↗
Tusks are teeth, not horns
The male’s distinctive tusks are curved canine teeth, with the upper pair emerging through the snout’s skin. They are different structures from anoa horns or deer antlers. This comparison illustrates how superficially similar features can arise from very different parts of the body.
Evidence: San Diego Zoo — Babirusa biology ↗
Foraging on the forest floor
Babirusas forage on the ground and use wallows. The specialist group stresses that wild diets remain poorly studied: records include leaves, roots and fruit, while some evidence of eating animals comes from captivity. Calling them omnivores therefore does not supply a complete menu or dietary proportions for every wild population.
Evidence: IUCN SSC Wild Pig Specialist Group — Sulawesi babirusa ↗ · San Diego Zoo — Babirusa biology ↗
Hunting in a changing landscape
The specialist group records range reduction through hunting and uncertainty about persistence on some islands. A historical distribution list is therefore not a guarantee that animals remain everywhere listed. Recent reports with clear survey methods are more useful than an undated map.
Evidence: IUCN SSC Wild Pig Specialist Group — Sulawesi babirusa ↗
Conservation that respects differences
Joint programmes can bring anoa and babirusa expertise together without treating their needs as identical. Compare food, body structure, and forest use to learn more. When observing wildlife, do not use food to lure it out; choose experiences respecting site boundaries and management instructions.
Evidence: Action Indonesia — Species management programmes ↗
Explore related habitats
These habitat relationships are supported by species sources in this guide. This is not a complete range map.
Scientific classification of the Sulawesi babirusa
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Artiodactyla |
| Family | Suidae |
| Genus | Babyrousa |
| Species | Babyrousa celebensis |
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology (for example class Reptilia).
Common questions about the Sulawesi babirusa
What is the scientific name of the Sulawesi babirusa?
The scientific name of the Sulawesi babirusa is Babyrousa celebensis, in the family Suidae. In Indonesian it is called Babirusa Sulawesi.
What kind of animal is the Sulawesi babirusa?
The Sulawesi babirusa is a mammal in the family Suidae. By diet it is a omnivore (eats plants and animals): a leaves, roots and fruit; anatomy and captive observations support omnivory, but wild diet remains poorly studied. It is also endemic to Indonesia.
Where does the Sulawesi babirusa live in Indonesia?
In Indonesia, this guide records the Sulawesi babirusa in: Sulawesi; taxonomic scope follows the specialist group.
The Sulawesi babirusa is endemic to Indonesia and lives naturally only in Sulawesi; central/eastern/southeastern taxonomy remains unresolved. Muna, Buton and Lembeh records do not establish current presence.. Source: iucn-wpsg.org.
Source-supported habitats: Tropical Rainforests.
What does the Sulawesi babirusa eat?
Diet of the Sulawesi babirusa: omnivore. That makes it a omnivore (eats plants and animals). Source: iucn-wpsg.org.
How does the Sulawesi babirusa reproduce?
The Sulawesi babirusa reproduces by giving birth to live young (viviparous). Source: Animal Diversity Web.
Is the Sulawesi babirusa nocturnal?
The cited source records the Sulawesi babirusa as diurnal (active by day). The conclusion rests mainly on captive observations, consistent with North Sulawesi night-activity records. Source: IUCN SSC Wild Pig Specialist Group — Sulawesi babirusa: activity patterns.
See also the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia.
What are the main features of the Sulawesi babirusa?
Key features of the Sulawesi babirusa, from this guide’s sources: Male feature: curving upper tusks; Body size: Head-body length 85–110 cm; weight up to 100 kg.
How big is the Sulawesi babirusa?
Body size: Head-body length 85–110 cm; weight up to 100 kg. Source: IUCN SSC Wild Pig Specialist Group — Sulawesi babirusa.
What is the scientific classification of the Sulawesi babirusa?
Scientific classification of the Sulawesi babirusa: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Mammalia, order Artiodactyla, family Suidae, genus Babyrousa, species Babyrousa celebensis.
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.
Is the Sulawesi babirusa endangered?
Yes. The global conservation status of the Sulawesi babirusa: Vulnerable. In the IUCN system, this category means it is considered to face a high risk of extinction in the wild. Source: IUCN SSC Wild Pig Specialist Group — Sulawesi babirusa.
This global category is separate from legal protection in Indonesia. To check whether the Sulawesi babirusa is a protected species, consult the current national list of protected species or contact the local BKSDA (natural resources conservation office).
Sources & references
- IUCN SSC Wild Pig Specialist Group — Sulawesi babirusa ↗
- San Diego Zoo — Babirusa biology ↗
- Action Indonesia — Species management programmes ↗
- Animal Diversity Web ↗
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF) ↗
References can change. Check dates and context in the original source. How we use sources and data →
National parks where it is recorded
According to the official national park profiles from the KSDAE directorate. The animal may also live elsewhere.
Further reading
Babirusa: facts, threats and conservation ↗ — World Animal Rescue Network. A broader overview that covers this animal.
Related site: PanduanHewan’s founder is also a director of World Animal Rescue Network.
Cite this page
Credit PanduanHewan when referring to this page. Check the original evidence sources before reusing a claim.
PanduanHewan. Sulawesi babirusa (Babyrousa celebensis). Last substantive update: 7 October 2026. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/sulawesi-babirusa/