Sparse bristles cover the warthog's body, although longer bristles form a mane from the top of the head down the spine to the middle of the back. Warthogs come in a variety of colors from light red to brown and gray to mostly black or is yellowish or reddish, if the warthog has been wallowing in mud). The long tail ends with a tuft of bristles. The warthog characteristically carries its tail upright when it runs, the tuft waving like a tiny flag.