The Wild boar is a wild pig species popularly found in European forests, northwest Africa, and most parts of Asia. The wild boar population is highly distributed, with between 4 and 25 subspecies.
Naturally, these animals cannot be classified because they are easily interbred. This means that there are about four primary subspecies categorized by location.
These species are faily similar in average size and appearance. However, the biggest differentiator of these animals is their color and geographic location.
The wild boar is a very adaptable animal because it can be found in many habitats worldwide. They feed on anything, can swim well, and run fast.
Some of the common names for these animals are European Wild Pigs, Hogs, or Boars.
How Much do Wild Boars Weigh?
The environment determines the size and weight of a wild boar. Boars that inhabit arid areas with less productivity tend to be smaller than those living in areas of abundance. This is because food and water play a vital role in enhancing growth in these animals.
Male wild boars in Europe weigh between 75 and 100 kg (165-220 lb.). Their bodies grow longer, at around 150 centimeters (59 in). On the other hand, females average only 60-80 kg (130-180 pounds) and 140 cm (55 in) long.
Male wild boars in the Mediterranean regions grow to around 63 inches long and weigh roughly 50 kg (110 lb.). Females can only average 45 kg (99 lb.) with shoulder heights of 63-65 cm (25-26 in). Eastern Europe is more productive, and males can be as heavy as 110-130 kg (240-290 lb.) and 160 cm (63 in) long. Females can only reach 95 kg (209 lb.) at 145 centimeters (57 in) long.
In Central and Western Europe, the heaviest male wild boars weigh around 200 kg (440 lb.) and females 120 kg (260 lb.). Meanwhile, in Northeastern Asia, the bigger males can grow to around 300-350 kg (660-770 lb.).
Such heavy adults can survive wolf attacks that prey on smaller boars. However, the overhunting of these animals has forced these animals to remain small-sized.
Wild Boar Species And Their Weight
The wild boar is known for its medium size with a large head and front end with a more petite hind body. Their body is covered with a thick double-fur and has a stiffer top layer than feels like bristles.
The undercoat beneath is softer, and the hair running the back ridge seems to be longer than the rest. Wild boars have body colors ranging from black, brown, or dark grey, determined by location.
1. Central European Boar
Weight: Male weigh on average 200 kg (440 lb) and a females 120 kg (260 lb).
The central European (S.s scorfa) boar is native to Europe and Eurasia and has a medium-sized body with dark/rusty brown-haired. They have long and somewhat narrow lacrimal bones.
2. North African Boar
Weight: On average males weigh between 75–100 kg (165–220 lbs) and females between 60–80 kg (130–180 lb).
Although it has a more petite body with longer tusks, the North African boa (S.s algira) is also called a junior synonym of S.s scorfa. The North African boars are commonly found in Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia.
3. Carpathian Boar
Weight: On average around 135 kg (300 lbs) for both male and females. When food is abundant some individuals can reach a weight of up to 360 kg (800 lbs).
The Carpathian boar (S.s attila) is a large-sized subspecies with extended lacrimal bones and dark fur. However, the coat is lighter than that of the Central European boar. They are native to Hungary, Romania, Ukraine, The Transcaucasia, Caucasus, Asia Minor, and northern Iran.
4. Indian Boar
Weight: On average between 90-136 kg (200-300 lb) for both male and females.
The Indian boar (S.s cristatus) is a boar subspecies with a long mane and brindled black coat. It is more heavily built than the S.s scorfa, and its head is bigger and pointer than its counterparts.
The Indian boar also has smaller and pointy ears with a straight forehead plane. Indian boar populations are spread across Nepal, Burma, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Thailand.
5. Central Asian Boar
Weight: Males weigh on average 158 kg (350 lb) and females on average 123 kg (270 lb).
The Central Asian boar (S.s davidi) is somehow smaller with a long mane and light brown fur. These boars can be found in Pakistan, Southeastern Iran, and northwestern India.
6. Japanese Boar
Weight: Males weigh on average 37.5 kg (82 lb) and females on average 27 kg (60 lb).
The Japanese boar (S.s leucomystax) is a small, yellowish-brownish boar with no mane. It is primarily found in Japan except in Ryukyu and Hokkaido Islands.
7. Anatolian Boar
Source: Wikipedia
Weight: Range from 70-500 kg (154-1100 lb) males and females included
The Anatolian Boar (S.s libycus) is a small, pale subspecies that does not grow a mane. The species are found in Turkey, Levant, Transcaucasia, and former Yugoslavia.
8. Maremman Boar
Weight: Up to 150 kg (330 lbs) for both males and females
The Maremman boar (S.s majori) is smaller than the S.s scorfa, though with a higher and broader skull. Since they were reared on meat farms, these two boars have been interbred with the Central European boar. These boars are native to Maremma in central Italy.
9. Mediterranean Boar
Weight: Males weigh an average of 50 kg (110 lbs) and females 45 kg (99 lbs).
The Mediterranean boar (S.s meridionalis) is primarily found in Andalusia, Sardinia and Corsica. The subspecies are much smaller than the S.s scorfa and have a dull olive-fawn fur. They have a dispersed under wool without manes.
10. Northern Chinese Boar
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Source: Wikipedia
Weight: Up to 350 kg (770 lbs) males and females included.
Northern Chinese boars are vastly found in Coastal China around Vietnam and on the west in Sichuan. The S.s moupinensis is a species with most variations, and there could be many other species involved.
11. Middle Asian Boar
Weight: Males can weigh up to 158 kg (350 lbs) and females up to 123 kg (270 lbs).
The Middle-Asian boar (S.s nigripes) is commonly found in Kazakhstan, Middle Asia, Western Mongolia, Afghanistan, Southern Iran, and Tien Shan. These boars have light-colored fur with black legs and varied body sizes. These boars are generally massive, with shorter lacrimal bones and facial areas of the scar.
12. Ryukyu Boar
Weight: Both males and females reach a weight of between 20-50 kg (44-110 lbs).
Ryukyu boar (S.s riukiuanus) is a small subspecies found in the Ryukyu Islands.
13. Trans-Baikal Boar
Weight: Unknown
The Trans-Baikal boar (S.s sibiricus) is one of the smaller subspecies native to the Soviet Union region. This boar has dark-brown black hair and light grey patches extending from the cheeks to the ears.
The skull appears square-like and with shorter lacrimal bones. These boars can be found in Lake Baikal, northeastern Mongolia, and Transbaikalia.
14. Ussuri Boar
Weight: Between 300–350 kg (660–770 lbs) for both male and females.
The Ussuri boar (S.s ussuricus) is one of the largest subspecies with dark hair and white bands or hair extending from the mouth corners to the ears. The lacrimal bones are shorter but more prolonged than the Trans-Baikal boar.
Reproduction And Life Cycle
Wild boars reproduce throughout the year, and mating relies on the climate and food availability. Breeding may be suppressed when females do not meet their nutritional needs.
Females can reproduce when they are ten months old, while males’ sexual maturity is around seven months. The sows are polyestrous and may produce two litters every year. The estrous cycle lasts between 21 and 23 days and the gestation period lasts between 108 to 120 days.
The sow may give birth to 5 or 6 piglets on average, and the newborns’ weight is between 0.4 to 0.8 kg. These piglets will be weaned once they are 8-12 weeks old.
This is because males tend to have higher testosterone levels in winter, and shorter days mean the sex hormones are highly concentrated in the boar’s semen plasma.
Wild boars live in sounders (groups of wild boars) with 6-20 closely-related females. These groups may contain over 100 animals in specific habitats.
When the sows are getting ready to give birth, they leave the sounder and come back with the young ones when farrowing. Even after maturing, the piglets may still stay in the groups with their mothers. When these herds overlap, they may split into subpopulations.
Males will live with their mothers until they are one or two years old before leaving the herd. After leaving the herds, they join other sounders in the mating seasons.
Estrous females attract polygynous males who compete for a chance to breed. Successful males find the females in estrous to get them interested. If a female is interested in a male, they will urinate to show a response. When a female does not urinate, the male gives up.
Wild Boar Gender Differences
1. Physical Differences
The most significant physical difference between male and female wild boars is their body size. Male wild boars are huge-bodied and taller.
On the other hand, female boars are somehow smaller and shorter. Males also tend to have more fur with a single color on their bodies. In addition, females sometimes have unique body patterns which may differentiate them from males.
2. Behavior Differences
Wild boars live in a sounder of more than 20 species. The competition for mates in these sounders is high, meaning most males have to break away after a while. Scientists understand this concept and can identify a male wild boar when they see it walking alone.
During reproduction, estrous females are always followed by the males in sounders trying to lure them into mating. Animal behaviorists can identify male and female wild boars by how they behave.
For example, male wild boars can be identified when they mount on females during mating. At the same time, estrous sows will urinate when they are ready to mate. This is enough identification of the animal’s gender.
3. Parental Care Differences
Males are polygynous and mostly travel alone, meaning they cannot care for the piglets. Once the mating season is over, the males will move to other sounders to expand their empires. Sows will stay behind to care for the young ones until they are older.
Even though parental care in sows is lower than in cattle, sheep, and goats, these animals can only handle small litter sizes. Females can be identified when piglets are around them, and they also feed in groups. They tend to be overprotective and keep their young ones within their reach.
