In the Mix: Patterns of Warthog Herding Behaviour in Single‐ and Mixed‐Species Herds

ABSTRACT Forming mixed‐species herds is a common antipredator behaviour of many African herbivores. Here, we quantify the degree to which the common warthog uses herding behaviour as a strategy to potentially reduce risk. We found that warthog occurred in mixed‐species herds ~50% of the time and that total herd size of mixed‐species herds was significantly larger than single‐species herds. We observed that impala—a preferred prey species for several carnivores—were warthog's most common heterospecific herd mate. Finally, within mixed‐species herds, warthog orientated themselves so that they were most commonly found to be surrounded by heterospecifics by 180°.