Wild hogs goes by many names. They are often referred to as "wild boar", "feral pig", "feral swine", "wild hog", or "feral hog". These names all refer to the same animal in the United States. Regardless of the origin of the animal, they are all the same species. There are no native hog species in North America.
Piglets are spotted but will lose that pattern as they age. (Photo by Andrew Jamison)
Wild hogs have been present in parts of North America since the 1500's. Their introduction can be traced back to early European explorers. They were a food source for early settlers who would often allow them to roam without a fence. Some of these hogs escaped their pastures and established feral populations. Other wild hogs were brought over from Europe to introduce a new big game species. The hogs present in South Carolina today can trace their ancestry to both captive livestock and wild animals. In the past, wild hogs were restricted to only 28 counties, but by 2008 they had been documented in every county in South Carolina.
Feral Swine Populations in 1982 By County (Photo by USDA APHIS)
Feral Swine Populations in 2023 By County (Photo by USDA APHIS)
Wild hogs are medium to large sized mammals. Males, known as boars, can reach sizes of 220 pounds with some rare individuals getting much larger than that. Females, known as sows, can reach sizes of 165 pounds but can also reach larger sizes in some cases. Hogs may exhibit a variety of colors and patterns. They are typically one of three main colors: black, red-brown, or white. Hogs can have a solid pattern, a spotted pattern, or a belted pattern. Juveniles, known as piglets, have stripes until about 4-6 months old. Wild hogs have short legs and a barrel-shaped body. Their head is large and has a pointed shape. The neck of a wild hog is small. At the end of their head is their iconic, flattened nose. Hogs have large ears positioned at the top of their head. Wild hogs also have tusks, which are modified canines. Tusks tend to be larger in males.
Pig coats can vary greatly, even within the same sounder. (Photo by Andrew Jamison)
Wild hogs are born weighing a little less than 2 pounds. They will continue to grow until they reach 5 years old. Females can produce 5-8 piglets in each litter, and they can reproduce twice per year. Unlike deer, there is no specific season when hogs reproduce. They can be found in a variety of different habitats. Water is the main resource that limits where hogs can live. Hogs are not good at regulating their body temperature and must use water to cool off in warm weather. In warm weather, hogs are often associated with water features, such as creeks and wetlands. Hogs will make water-filled depressions in the ground that they use to cool off. The depressions they create are called wallows. It is possible for hogs to start reproducing in their first six months of life.
(Photo by Andrew Jamison)
There are many ways to determine if hogs are nearby. These signs can help determine if hogs are present on any given landscape without seeing the hog itself. Hogs can be very elusive and cautious, so looking for signs of them may be a better option.
Hogs will often feed on plant material under soil. To get to that material hogs must dig down to access it. This behavior leaves the ground disturbed and often leaves the soil exposed. Look for upturned dirt and leaves.
Rooting from pigs in a field in Pickens County, SC. (Photo by Andrew Jamison)
Wallows are depressions in the ground that are usually filled with muddy water. Wallows can be caused by the rooting behavior. Hogs use these to cool off and protect themselves from parasites or insects. Wallows are usually in shaded, wet areas. Look for wallows along creeks, trails, or near standing water.
Pig wallows are often muddy holes in the ground that contain water. (Photo by Andrew Jamison)
Hogs will rub their body on upright objects to remove mud, hair, and parasites. These rubs can often be observed on trees. Look for mud on trees and hog hair.
Pig rubs are usually in the form of mud stuck to the side of a tree. (Photo by Andrew Jamison)
Hogs will rub their tusks on trees to expose the sap and rub the sap on their body as a deterrent for ticks and lice. In some cases, this can lead to the death of the tree.
Much like deer, hogs will bed down to rest. They will dig down to the soil and sometimes line their beds with plants. Look for beds on ridges or in areas with dense cover. Hogs will bed close to each other.
Wild hogs are social animals. They often travel in groups known as "sounders". These sounders are made up of a family unit. A female and her daughters will stick together. Males tend to be solitary but will form smaller groups with other males.
Wild hogs will eat a variety of different food. They find the food using their extremely powerful sense of smell. They will feed on food below the surface of the soil, such as roots and tubers. hogs turn over the soil using their nose to access the food – this is known as rooting. Hogs will also feed on other plant material, such as acorns. Hogs have also been observed feeding on other animals. Hogs will also eat meat and are known to be scavengers, feeding on dead animals. They have been observed eating the eggs of ground nesting birds, eggs of sea turtles, reptiles, and amphibians. Mushrooms and other fungi are also a part of the diet of wild hogs.
(Photo by Andrew Jamison)
