The tusks on the upper half of a male babirusa's snout grow up and curve back toward its eyes and the top of its head. Sometimes, an older babirusa will have upper tusks that are so long, they break through the top of this animal's skull. This ingrown tusk eventually causes death.

What do babirusa use their tusks for?

The tusks of the adult males are used in intraspecific fighting. The upper tusks are for defense while the lower tusks are offensive weapons. If a male babirusa does not grind his tusks (achievable through regular activity), they can eventually keep growing so as to penetrate the individual's own skull .

How long does the babirusa live?

They are more precocial than the young of other suids, beginning to eat solid food 3-10 days after birth; weaned at 6-8 months. Young attain sexual maturity at 1-2 years. In captivity, babirusa have lived up to 24 years.