[4] The males have prominent upwards incurving canine tusks, which pierce the flesh in the snout.

[4] The split, which uses the phylogenetic species concept, is based on differences in size, amount of hair on the body and tail-tuft, and measurements of the skull and teeth.

[4] B. babyrussa beruensis was described as an extinct, Pleistocene subspecies from southwestern Sulawesi before babirusas were split into multiple species.

The upper canines of males emerge vertically from the alveolar process, penetrating through the skin and curving backward over the front of the face and towards the forehead.

The North Sulawesi babirusa has long and thick upper canines with a vertically implanted alveolar.

It has been hypothesized that the unusual distribution may be due to their being transported by humans as gifts bestowed by native royalty.

[8] It appears that they have been confined to the higher grounds in the interior despite occurring in lowland areas near coasts in the past.

[8] Because it does not have a rostral bone in the nose, a babirusa does not dig with its snout like other pigs do except in mud and swampy grounds.

[16] If a male babirusa does not grind his tusks (achievable through regular activity), they can eventually keep growing and, rarely, penetrate the individual's skull.

[12] Prehistoric paintings of babirusa found in caves on the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia have been dated back at least 35,400 years (to the ice age Pleistocene epoch).

Some experts, like J. David Bleich, a professor of Jewish law and ethics at Yeshiva University, believe that the babirusa does not meet the physical criteria to be considered kosher, challenging the assertion that the babirusa chews its cud by citing a report from 1940 that found that true rumination could not take place in the animal's stomach.

However, he also notes that Jews can eat any food that is not expressly forbidden and that "the babirusa's resemblance to a pig in appearance and taste is not sufficient grounds for banning its consumption as kosher meat."

Additionally, it has been noted that the babirusa is an endangered species and that most Muslims, who face similar dietary restrictions, would avoid eating the meat of any animal whose status in religious law is uncertain.