OBSERVATIONS ON THE FOOD HABITS OF TAME WARTHOG AND ANTELOPE IN UGANDA

Monthly observations were made of the food habits of tame warthog, reedbuck and kob over a period of a year. Measurements were taken of the shoulder height and size of mouth of the animals at different stages of their growth. Whilst a few species of grass were regularly preferred, the majority showed fluctuations in their preference. Some consistent seasonal differences were apparent. Most herbs were avoided. Large differences in food habits occurred between warthog and antelope; however, there was some overlap during the rains when food was abundant and at the height of the dry season when it was scarce. Some differences were apparent between kob and reedbuck and between individual warthog and reedbuck. Intraspecific differences, however, were less noticeable than interspecific differences. The height of the animal and the size of its mouth were important in determining the portion of the sward available for food and the degree of selection possible within the available food supply.