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Wild Boar

Sus scrofa
Wild Boars are the ancestors of domesticated pigs. They are native across Europe and Asia, but have been introduced to Australia and North America. The species first appeared in these locations for food, but were later imported for sport hunting. The United States Department of Agriculture now considers them to be an invasive species, because they damage native plants and crops.

Wild Boars are the largest members of the Sus genus. There are a whole mess of subspecies spread across the Eastern Hemisphere, but the exact number is disputed due to interbreeding between them.

Piglets
In the wild, Boars live in forest areas near bodies of water. They like to stay near mud so that they can wallow, a practice that helps to both keep them cool, and to remove parasites. Wild Boars live in loose territories, and the females are rather social, living in groups that can number up to 30 individuals. Males are more solitary and will intermingle only during the breeding season. Mating happens only once a year for females, and they can have as many as 12 piglets!

Did you know that Wild Boars are omnivores? Though they eat mostly plant matter, the Boars will also eat bird eggs, lizards, and other small animals. They use their snouts to forage around for food, and they live a nocturnal lifestyle.
IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : Native to Europe and Asia
Size : Shoulder height 35in (90cm), Weight 200lbs (90kg)
Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Artiodactyla
Family : Suidae -- Genus : Sus -- Species : S. scrofa
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Comments

  1. DianeJune 29, 2011 at 6:08 AM

    We have plenty of them around us and hunting is essential. They really do so much damage to the crops. Diane

    ReplyDelete

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