Wild boar and it's classification

 Wild Boar: The Feral Swine

Classification: 

 Kingdom: Animalia

 Phylum: Chordata   

 Class: Mammalia

 Order: Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates)

 Family: Suidae (pigs and hogs)

 Genus: Sus (wild boars and domestic pigs)

 Species: Sus scrofa (wild boar or feral pig)

Subspecies of wild boar include:

• Sus scrofa scrofa (European wild boar)

•  Sus scrofa ussuricus(Ussuri wild boar)

•  Sus scrofa leucomystax (Japanese wild boar)

• Sus scrofa riukiuanus (Ryukyu wild boar)

• Sus scrofa sibiricus (Siberian wild boar)

•  Sus scrofa formosanus (Taiwan wild boar)

Physical Characteristics

• Body Size: Wild boars can grow up to 6 feet in length and weigh between 100-200 kg (220-440 lbs)

• Coat:Thick, bristly hair that varies in color from brown to black

• Tusks: Long, curved canine teeth used for defense and digging

• Snout: Long, flexible snout used for rooting and foraging

Habitat and Distribution

Distribution:

• Native Range: Eurasia and North Africa

• Introduced Range:North and South America, Australia, and New Zealand

Habitat:

Wild boars are found in a wide range of habitats, including:

• Forests: Deciduous, evergreen, and mixed forests

• Grasslands: Meadows, prairies, and savannas

• Wetlands: Marshes, swamps, and riverbanks

• Agricultural areas: Fields, orchards, and vineyards

They are adapted to living in various environments and can thrive in different climates and regions.

Adaptations and Abilities

• Exceptional Strength: Can run at speeds of up to 40 km/h (25 mph) and jump over 2 meters (6.6 ft)

• Excellent Swimmers: Can swim long distances and even dive to depths of 2 meters (6.6 ft)

• Intelligence:Considered one of the smartest animal species

• Keen Senses: Wild boars have a keen sense of smell, hearing, and vision, which helps them detect predators and find food.

• Hibernation: Wild boars are able to hibernate during extreme weather conditions, such as cold winters.

• Camouflage: Wild boars have a coat that allows them to blend in with their surroundings, making them difficult to spot.

• Fighting Ability: Wild boars are able to defend themselves against predators and other wild boars.

Behavior and Social Structure

Behavior:

• Mating and Breeding: Mating occurs in autumn, with 2-8 piglets born in spring

• Communication: Wild boars use a variety of vocalizations, body language, and scent marking to communicate

Social Structure: 

Live in sounders (groups) led by a dominant female.

• Sounders: Wild boars live in sounders, typically led by a dominant female

• Hierarchy: A clear hierarchy exists within sounders, with dominant individuals leading subordinate ones.

Diet and Foraging

Diet:

• Omnivorous:Wild boars eat a wide variety of plants, fruits, nuts, insects, and small animals

• Rooting and digging: Use their snout and tusks to root and dig for food

Foraging:

Spend most of their day foraging for food, often in groups

Reproductive System

 Males (Boars):

• Have a pair of testes that produce sperm

• Have a penis with a spiral shape, allowing for mating with females in a standing position

Females (Sows):

• Have a reproductive tract that includes a uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes

• Are polyestrous, meaning they can have multiple estrous cycles in a year

Breeding Season

Wild boars breed throughout the year, but the peak breeding season typically occurs in:

• Autumn (September to November)

•  Spring (March to May)

During this time, males (boars) engage in fierce battles for dominance and mating rights.

Reproduction and Lifecycle

Reproduction:

• Mating: Males mate with multiple females during the breeding season

•  Gestation: Females are pregnant for approximately 115 days (3.8 months)

•  Litter size: 2-8 piglets (average 4-6)

• Weaning: Piglets are weaned after 2-3 months

• Sexual maturity: Females reach sexual maturity at 6-12 months, males at 12-18 months

Lifecycle :

Lifespan: Wild boars can live up to 10-15 years in the wild, although average lifespan is 5-7 years

Territory

Wild boars are territorial animals, with individuals and sounders (groups) occupying specific areas. These territories are marked with:

•  Feces

• Urine

• Rooting and digging

• Rubbing against trees and objects

Territories can range from a few acres to several square miles, depending on the availability of food, water, and shelter.

Conservation Status and Threats

Conservation status(IUCN):

The wild boar has been listed as least concerned on the IUCN Red List

Reasons 

• This is due to their wide range, high numbers and adaptability to a variety of habitats .

• However, wild boars have become an invasive species in some parts of their introduced range .

• There are now 16 known subspecies of wild boar, which are split into four regional groups based on the height of their skulls and the length of their lacrimal bone.

Threats:

Habitat loss, hunting, poaching, human-wildlife conflict

• Invasive Species: Considered a pest in many introduced ranges due to habitat destruction and competition with native species

• Hunting and Poaching: Threatened by overhunting and poaching for meat, hides, and tusks

• Habitat Loss: Threatened by deforestation and habitat fragmentation

Human-Wild Boar Conflict

• Crop damage: Significant economic losses

• Property damage: Fencing, buildings, and other infrastructure

• Hunting and poaching: For meat, hides, and trophies

• Disease transmission: Brucellosis, pseudorabies, and swine fever

Management and Control

•  Hunting and culling: Regulated in some areas.

• Trapping: Used in some regions.

•  Fencing: Exclusion fencing to protect crops and property.

• Repellents: Used to deter wild boars from crops and property.

Interesting Facts

• Ancient Origins: Domesticated pigs originated from wild boars around 10,000 years ago

• Cultural Significance: Featured in many cultures' folklore, mythology, and cuisine

• Ecological Role: Play a vital role in shaping their ecosystems through rooting and foraging activities.

 Domestic pigs:

Domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) are considered a subspecies of wild boar, as they are descended from wild boars and can interbreed with them.

In which countries wild boars are found:

Wild boars are found in the following countries and regions :

1. United States: Feral pigs are a growing problem in the U.S. and are found mostly in the southern prairies and Texas, which has the largest population.
2. Canada: Feral pigs are also a problem in Canada, particularly in the southern prairies.
3. Hawaii: Feral pigs were introduced to Hawaii by Polynesians around AD 1200 and have since become an invasive species, eating endangered birds and plants.
4. South America: Feral boars were introduced to Uruguay for hunting and have since crossed into Brazil, where they have become an invasive species.
5. Australia: Feral pigs were released in Australia by Captain James Cook in 1777 and have since become a significant agricultural pest. 
6. New Zealand: Feral pigs have been spotted in and around Wellington, where they have been documented killing and eating newborn goats.