Wild boar is species of pig kept under the genus Sus and Family Suidae. The species shares many subspecies also. It is the wild ancestor of the domestic pig and hybridization between the two species occurs very frequently in nature. They are native to Northern and Central Europe, Mediterranean region, Asia as well as Indonesia. The populations had including Americas and Australasia for hunting purposes. They also survive well when kept in captivity.
In general predictions the term boar is used for males of the domestic pigs but the term wild boar is used for whole of the species. They are known by different names like wild hogs or simply boars. In North America they are known as razorbacks or European boars. They have a slightly compact body with large head and short legs. The fur is demarcated by stiff bristles and fine fur. The colour of the fur may vary from grey to blackish brown but the central Asian species are somewhat white in colour. The colour of the fur becomes denser during the winters. They may be 120-180 cm in length and weigh about 50-90 kg but it may be variable depending upon the geographical conditions. The adult males develop characteristic tusks that protrude from the mouth. They are actually canine of both upper and lower jaws. Upper tusks are slightly bent in males. They measure 6 cm in length but may reach a length of 12 cm also in some. The females also bear smaller but sharp canines which are without tusks and are not protruding as found in males.
The wild boar piglets are somewhat different in colour as compared to the adults. They are characterized by ochre, chocolate and cream coloured stripes over their bodies. The stripes diminish when the piglets become 6 months old and they acquire body colouration resembling like that of the adult. The litter size is strictly dependent upon the geographical conditions. The males tend to live solitary when breeding season is not prevailing but the females and the young ones tend to live together in the so called groups sounders. Sounders may include 20-50 individuals with 2-3 sows and one dominant female. They are crepuscular or nocturnal animals feeding during the early morning and late evening or night hours and resting during both periods of day and night. They are omnivorous in their diet eating almost anything ranging from grass, nuts, berries, carrion, roots, tubers, refuse, insects and small reptiles. Wild boars of Australia are even known to be the predators of deer and young lambs.
The male lowers its head, charges, and then slashes upward with his tusks in order to defend itself. The female also charges with her head up, mouth wide, and bites in defending herself. Their attack on humans is although not fatal but may result in severe trauma, dismemberment, or blood loss. The sexual activity and testosterone production in male increases when the day length decreases and the reaches its peak during the mid-autumn. The sexually active solitary males the move towards the female groups and fights for the females the dominant one mates with her. Sows attain sexual maturity at the age of 8-24 months which is largely dependent upon the environmental factors as well as nutritional intake. The gestation period lasts for about 115 days and before giving birth to the young ones the females prepares a mound-like nest for them. The process of birth of the litter continues for about 2-3 hours and both the mother and the child remain in the nest for about 4-6 days. Each litter may be having 4-6 piglets but the number may be even smaller. The piglets may weigh about 750-1000 g at the time of birth. Weaning continues for about 3-4 months and they start taking solid food when they are 2 weeks old.
Tigers are their natural predators. Wolves and even the spotted hyenas are seen to prey upon them. Young piglets easily fall in the hands of reticulated python, large birds or prey and wild felids. The hairs were used for making toothbrushes but this practice has declined with the introduction of artificial products. The hairs are detached from the neck region of these animals.
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