Wild Boar

Sus Scrofa

Wild boar have a thick, bristly coat, with a ridge of longer hair growing along the spine. The tail is straight with long tassels. Adults undergo a seasonal moult in June and August. The body shape of adults shows a large head and shoulders tapering to smaller hind quarters. The snout is long, narrow, and straight, and the ears are small and erect.

After 2 years of age, males grow tusks from both the upper and lower canines curving upwards. Adult females do not grow tusks, and their body size is generally smaller than that of mature males.

These animals are omnivorous and will eat a large variety of foods. Typically, plants account for 90% of their diet. Plant matter consists of fruit and berries, as well as roots, bulbs, and tubers (unearthed by rooting with their long snouts). They will also eat mice, birds' eggs, snakes, lizards, worms, beetles, centipedes, and even carrion.

Wild boar live in matriarchal groups called "sounders," consisting of up to 20 animals (usually 2 or 3 mature sows and their related offspring). The only males in the group are immature juveniles. Except during the breeding season, mature males spend their time alone or in small bachelor groups.

Wild boar are generally nocturnal and begin their nightly activities just before dusk. Wild boar are very wary and shy creatures, avoiding human contact if possible. They have poor eyesight but excellent hearing and sense of smell.

Female boars can be aggressive to one another (pushing and biting) when establishing dominance within the group or when feeding. Mature males are most aggressive to each other during the autumn rut, when potentially fatal injuries can be inflicted from their sharp tusks. Wild boar generally are not dangerous to humans, provided they are left alone.

In many countries, wild boar are a favored hunting quarry, either by groups of amateur hunters or on well-organized and regulated shoots. Wild boar and feral pigs can be stalked on foot, shot from high seats, driven towards waiting guns, or located with tracker dogs. The animal's popularity as a sporting quarry is due to its large size, aggressive nature when threatened, and valued meat.