Wild boar is widespread in nature and is found in almost any area of ​​the globe. The beast has many habits and certain features that a person managed to study in detail.

Description

Before the ice age, there were several families of artiodactyls with certain characteristics. But only one survived to our time, to which scientists gave the name "real pigs."

Now this family is divided into five genera:

• Babirus lives on the island of Celebes;
• warthogs are common in Africa;
• a long-haired pig adapted to the tropical climate;
• wild boars live in Europe, Asia and Africa.

The last genus lives in many places on Earth and is divided into three main types:

• common boar, found in most countries;
• in the mountain range of the Himalayas there is a dwarf pig;
• a bearded pig is common on the islands of Celebes, Philippines, Java and Sumatra.

It is these three species that now represent wild boars on Earth, and they are also divided into different subspecies, depending on the habitat. Their appearance may differ, but their habits and lifestyle coincide in many respects.

Appearance and features

A wild boar is visually similar to a pig, but due to harsher living conditions it has characteristic differences. Adults have a massive body covered with wool. Strong and strong muscles that can withstand high loads are hidden under it.

The body is round in shape, held on short legs. Behind there is a small tail, covered with sparse hair. Due to the narrow pelvis and wide sternum, the boar looks like a barrel.

The head is connected to the body by a wide neck. The muzzle is elongated, with high set eyes. Above the mouth is a nose in the form of a dark patch. At the level of the forehead, at the edges, ears sticking up. Long fangs grow at the edges of the mouth, which are the main distinguishing feature of wild boars from other pigs. They help tear soil and foliage for food, and are also used for defense and attack.

Interesting fact: In adult wild boars, fangs can grow up to 25 cm in length. Their average length is 15-17 cm.

The hair of the boars is hard, unpleasant to the touch. The color depends on the place of residence of the individual. Color varies from gray to dark brown. Those species that live in cool territories, with the onset of winter, acquire thicker fur, which allows them to survive in the snow.

In height, the animal grows up to a meter, in length - up to two. Due to the massive body, wild boars have a large mass, which in adults is on average 150-200 kg, but especially developed ones can weigh up to 300 kg. Males grow much larger than females.

For Russia, wild boars are not uncommon. Five subspecies with unique appearance features inhabit the territory of the country:

• Central European boars are small and dark skinned;
• Ussuriysk has large dimensions, but the main distinguishing features are small ears and a white fluff under the nose, resembling a mustache;
• Caucasian has a light coat and large muzzle;
• Transbaikal - a small animal with a brown color;
• Central Asian has a light coat on the body and dark on the limbs.

Despite the visual differences of the species, it is always easy to see in them the belonging to the family of wild boars.

Where does the wild boar live?

Wild boars perfectly adapt to any weather conditions. Some subspecies feel comfortable in a tropical climate, while others prefer cool weather. Many wild boars choose a forest area, and they can perfectly live in oak, coniferous and other groves. Some individuals live in mountain ranges and near swamps.

Boars can be found in North Africa, Asia, Eurasia.Their range extends from the Ural Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean. Also, some species willingly inhabit different islands.

In the past, the habitat of this animal was many times larger. But with the advent of man on the planet, it has decreased significantly. For example, in England, local hunters completely exterminated the beast, and now not a single individual lives there.

Interesting fact: people brought wild boars to North America in order to conduct one-time hunts, but the beast has taken root well and is still growing its population on these lands.

In any of the territories, regardless of the surrounding conditions, the wild boar perfectly survives and feels at home. This once again emphasizes the versatility of the beast in terms of adaptation and survival.

How long does a wild boar live?

Wild boars grow and develop rather slowly. Adults become closer to a year or two. In the wild, their life expectancy is around 10 years. But at home, they can live up to 20 years. This is due to the fact that the beast does not need to hunt, adapt to environmental conditions and wear out its body.

What is the difference between a boar and a pig?

Despite the fact that the wild boar is the ancestor of a pig, due to different living conditions, both species have acquired several differences that make them easy to distinguish.

A boar has longer limbs than a pig. Since the latter lives in comfortable conditions under the close supervision of a person, she does not need to run. This gradually led to a shortening of the legs and a decrease in their mobility. A wild boar, on the contrary, is forced to constantly travel in nature and travel long distances in search of food. Periodically, he has to run to hide from predators. Because of this, his legs are very developed.

Pigs have a thick, rounded muzzle, as well as sparse hair, while the boar is covered with stiff hair and an elongated nasal septum. Also, the latter has fangs, which are completely absent from the home look.

What does a boar eat?

Wild boars have an extended diet due to the large range. In the process of settling on the planet, they learned to eat many plants and fruits.

Interesting fact: Many people think that because of their formidable appearance, wild boars are predators, but this is not so. They do not prey on other animals, exceptions are small rodents.

Wild boars feed mainly on plant foods, and their preferences change as the seasons change. In summer, individuals eat mainly berries and leaves. With the onset of coolness, they pass to the roots and bulbous plants. Thanks to their long fangs, they tear the soil, bringing food from under it. Also, wild boars do not mind eating larvae and bugs. During the day, an adult eats up to 5 kg of food.

Water is very important for wild boars. They often come to a watering place to rivers and lakes. Also, while drinking, the beast can catch fish and enjoy a snack with it. A real treat for him are nuts and acorns. Powerful jaws easily crack the shell, allowing you to reach the fetus.

Cases were recorded when wild boars settled near farm fields and came to feed on wheat plants. Also, in case of food shortage, adults can catch frogs and small rodents. With the complete absence of food, the boar is able to switch to carrion, but he does this only in extreme cases.

Due to its omnivorous nature, these animals are well mastered in any environment. Perhaps it will be hard to find food and water only in the endless desert, but he will surely be able to come up with something.

Features of character and lifestyle

Wild boars try to settle in places where there are swampy and water areas nearby. Animals have poor eyesight, but their sense of smell is highly developed. They can smell the smell for half a kilometer.This protects them from human attacks, and the latter has to use various deceptive means in the form of hunting sprays to get to him. If a boar learns a dubious smell, it can quickly escape to other territories. The hearing of the beast is also highly developed.

Wild boars live together, uniting in herds of up to 50 individuals. Among them are young males and several experienced females who lead a herd. Adult male boars prefer to lead a hermit lifestyle, coming to the rest only at the time of the creation of the offspring.

Beasts prefer a nocturnal lifestyle. During the day, they sit in swamps and reed areas, and after dark they go off in search of food and water.

Interesting fact: Wild boars love to take mud baths and bathe in swamps. However, they do this at night.

Animals have sensitive skin, so they try to wallow in dust as much as possible. This protects it from sunlight and insect bites. To have a stable source of water and dirt, wild boars like to settle in places with high humidity. But these animals do not like to live next to a person, because they see him as a threat.

The boar prefers to leave its secluded place only for food. If he is full, he practically does not move, resting in a rookery between the bushes. But despite the sedentary lifestyle, these animals can travel long distances if necessary and reach speeds of up to 45 km / h. The wild boar swims well and can cross the river from one bank to the other.

The animal is very careful and prefers to avoid conflicts. It is easier for him to quietly escape from the territory than to enter the struggle for it. But at the same time, the boar is not a coward. If necessary, he will fight to the last to protect the offspring and himself.

For greater comfort, when the individual is not in danger, she can dig a hole in her fangs and make her her home until the time comes to leave these lands.

Social structure

Adult males live separately. Each of them has its own territory where they feed and lead a measured lifestyle. Females prefer to join in flocks consisting of several individuals. When the rutting season comes, males join them. After the appearance of the offspring, the little boars remain with their mothers and form a large herd.

Individuals take care of each other and are ready to defend themselves, engaging in battle with any offenders. At the same time, young wild boars learn survival from the more experienced and quickly learn.

Breeding

The period of offspring creation lasts two months and in different places of the planet begins at different times of the year. At the beginning, the males begin the search for the herd with females. They use the sense of smell and the skills of the ranger to find him. If several individuals pretend to be one female at the same time, then fights begin, during which everyone proves the right to be with her. Moreover, having shown its superiority, a wild boar can visit several females in one drive.

The gestation period lasts approximately 125 days. At this time, the male again goes to lead a hermit lifestyle, and the female is looking for a secluded place where she can give birth. Cubs appear in a pre-prepared nest, assembled from branches, soft foliage and other plants.

At one time, the female gives birth from 5 to 15 wild boars, with each weighing around a kilogram. They have a dark color, which disguises them in the ground and hides them from the eyes of predators.

In the first weeks, the mother practically does not leave the offspring and feeds it with milk. She is aggressive and does not allow anyone to boar. During this time, they grow stronger and quickly learn to walk. As the female grows, she no longer intently guards them, accustoming them to independence. After about three months, they begin to try regular food.

Natural enemies of wild boars

Unfortunately, wild boars regularly encounter many enemies in their natural habitat.The most dangerous are bears, lynxes and wolves, and each predator hunts the beast differently.

Wolves rush at the boar only in a flock, because one by one they are not able to cope with it. Having driven him into a corner, one of the wolves jumps on his back and knocks him to the ground, after which the others also reduce the distance.

Lynx hunts alone, which is why it can not cope with an adult boar. Therefore, the representative of the cat attacks only young individuals lagging behind the herd. And even if the boar gets too stubborn, the lynx may retreat.

The bear is the most dangerous adversary. Having entered the fray with a boar, he grabs the paws and squeezes with all his might. It is easy to guess that in such a situation, the artiodactyl has few chances.

In addition to hostile animals, sharp branches and thorns cause significant problems. Inadvertently, a wild boar may run into them and damage its paws.

Wild boar movement

If required, an adult can travel long distances in a short period of time. Powerful legs and an inflated body allow you to quickly accelerate and run for a long time, without slowing down.

Wild boars swim well. It is not difficult for them to move even against the tide, which helps a lot when settling on neighboring islands.

Interesting fact: A case was recorded when a boar swam to the island of Alderney, starting from the coast of France. The path he traveled through the water was 32 km.

Vote

The sounds made by the boar are practically no different from the grunts of an ordinary pig. In a calm environment, he communicates with snoring and other characteristic signals. In case of danger, the beast can go on a squeal to scare the offender or attract the attention of the nearest herd, which will try to come to the rescue.

Is boar dangerous for humans?

The beast is afraid of man, so he will never attack first. But if he is wounded or feels a threat to the offspring, then the danger emanating from him will become quite real. In this state, the beast can pounce on people and do everything so that they no longer pose a threat.

In the Middle Ages, there were times when an armed man showed excessive self-confidence and attacked a wounded artiodactyl. But the beast easily threw him off the horse and piled on top.

When meeting with a boar, it is important to make it clear that nothing threatens him, and then it is likely that he will turn around and go about his business.

Types of boars, photos and names

Depending on the habitat, wild boars are divided into approximately 20 subspecies with certain external characteristics. Five families are distinguished as the main ones.

Central European

These individuals live in Europe and Russia. They are also frequent guests in nature reserves and zoos. Individuals grow relatively small in size: up to 1.4 m, and their mass does not exceed 100 kg. Their coat is usually dark gray.

This view is human friendly. Most often, it is its representatives that are used for domestication and taming.

Central Asian

This species is found not only in Asia, but also in Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Afghanistan. It has a large size compared to other boars. They are hard to tame, so almost all individuals are wild.

The length of the body can reach up to 1.6 m, and the weight exceeds 130 kg. Depending on the region of residence, the beast has a unique color, which can be either light or black. Since the Central Asian wild boar loves a warm climate, its coat does not shine with density.

Indian

Also, this species is found in Sri Lanka and Nepal. Since the wildlife in these lands is located almost close to human settlements, over the course of decades, wild boars have learned to live side by side with humans. They can safely wander into residential areas in search of food, while not encountering any aggression.

Their distinctive feature is small size and light color.Their coat is rare due to their habitat in a warm climate.

Ussuri

They live in China and the eastern part of Russia, it is considered the largest species among wild boars. Its dimensions reach 1.8 m, and the mass can reach 350 kg. Almost all individuals have black thick hair.

Due to the large amount of meat they are constantly hunted by humans, but this does not reduce the overall population of the beast. And not every hunter decides to challenge this huge animal.

Japanese

The animals are quite large, but this is because of the way they accumulate fat. They have a dark color and an elongated muzzle. They have a calm character and are not afraid of humans, which is why they often live in zoos.

Origin of the species

Scientists suggest that wild boars appeared before the ice age. This is evidenced by the studied remains of ancient individuals. Since then, the beast has practically not changed. It adapts well to changing weather conditions. This fact and unpretentiousness in food helped him not only live for millions of years, but also not to be on the verge of extinction, unlike many other ancient animals.

Interesting fact: wild boar is a direct ancestor of a pig. The latter came from them at a certain stage of evolution.

The wild boar belongs to artiodactyl animals, suborder pig-like. Zoologists distinguish it in a separate genus of wild boars.

Population and species status

In most habitats, wild boars feel great and are constantly increasing their population. States do not prohibit hunting for them, because even despite active human activity aimed at reducing the population, the total number of these animals is still increasing. Moreover, in some places there is overpopulation, because of which the boars lack food.

When there are too many individuals in the territory, they quickly eat up available stocks of food and begin its search in the earth. They dig the soil with horns for a long time, which ultimately leads to damage to the root system of trees. Because of this, forests begin to thin. And making sure that there is no food, the flock can go to farm fields and destroy all crops.

If in the region there is no overpopulation among wild boars, they are of great benefit. They actively destroy harmful insects and plants. A constant loosening of dry soil leads to its renewal and increase fertility.