Pigs That Are Wild

Pigs that are wild include Eurasian wild hogs, feral hogs and a combination of the first two types. The Eurasian wild hog was imported from Europe by wildlife ranches and released for hunting. Feral hogs were originally domestic animals that escaped from farms or were released. Eurasian wild boar escapees and feral hogs cross-bred to produce the combination hog. The combination is also referred to as feral hogs.

  1. Description

    • Feral hogs are usually smaller, leaner and more muscular than domestic swine. Boars weigh in the range of 130 pounds and sows weigh about 110 pounds. Feral boars have larger heads and tusks than sows and both sexes have long snouts, small, mostly pricked ears, long coarse hair and straight tails with a brushy tip. Some feral hogs grow a mane of hair on their backs and necks that raises when the animals get mad. This is the reason for the term "razorback." The hogs have an acute sense of smell which enables them to find food.

    What They Eat

    • Hogs are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plants are animals. Feral hogs are also opportunistic eaters taking advantage of food when it appears. Seasons of the year, however, determine most of their diet. In the spring they eat grass, weeds, roots and tubers. Their summer and fall diets primarily consist of wild grapes, plums, prickly pears, mesquite beans, acorns and persimmons. Other foods throughout the year include mushrooms, carion, birds, eggs, snails, insects, earthworms and grubs. Feral hogs raid farmers' fields for peanuts, corn, milo, oats, wheat, soybeans, vegetables and melons.

    Reproduction

    • Feral hogs are very prolific in reproduction. They have two litters per year with each litter containing four to 10 piglets. Normal male to female ratios in these litters is one to one. A sow's gestation period is about 115 days and litter size varies with habitat condition and available food supply. Sows have been known to eat their young when habitat is poor and food is scarce. Females can breed at six months of age, but eight to 10 months is normal.

    Adverse Effects

    • In addition to destroying crops, feral hogs compete directly with livestock and wildlife for food. They destroy wildlife habitat and damage livestock feeding and watering facilities. Wild hogs prey on fawns, lambs, kid goats and consume eggs of ground nesting birds, such as quail and turkey. They destabilize wetland areas, springs, creeks and ponds by rooting and wallowing. Hogs destroy tree seedlings and damage older trees. They also destroy lawns and golf courses in urban areas by rooting for grubs and other subterranean insects.

    Controls

    • Wild hogs can be fenced out of areas, but it is expensive. High tensile, small mesh, rust-resistant wire is required and to be effective, and the bottom of fence needs to be buried in the ground. Snares are effective when set at fence crossings or along hog trails. A snare is a flexible wire cable loop with a sliding lock device and a heavy swivel. Either cage or corral traps work when positioned in the right places and are baited correctly. The most effective control is shooting where it is allowed.