SUS SCROFA (WILD BOAR)

SUS SCROFA (WILD BOAR)

Contents hide
1) Introduction
2) Classification of Sus Scrofa (Wild Boar)
3) Geographical distribution
4) Habit and habitat
5) Comments on Sus Scrofa (Wild Boar)
6) Ecological Importance
7) Conservation Status of Sus Scrofa (Wild Boar)
8) Special features
9) Identification
10) Interesting Facts about Sus Scrofa (Wild Boar)

Introduction

The wild boar (Sus scrofa), a member of the family Suidae, is a highly adaptable and widespread mammal native to Eurasia and North Africa. It is recognized for its robust build, bristly coat, and characteristic tusks. Wild boars have a remarkable ability to thrive in diverse habitats, ranging from dense forests to open grasslands. This adaptability, coupled with their omnivorous diet, has made them one of the most successful mammalian species.

Wild boars (Sus scrofa) have also been domesticated, leading to the development of domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus), which are a cornerstone of global agriculture. While wild boars play a significant ecological role in their native habitats, their populations can become problematic when introduced to non-native regions, where they often cause ecological disturbances.

Classification of Sus Scrofa (Wild Boar)

  • Phylum :- Chordata (Dorsal tubular nerve cord, notochord and gill-slits present.)
  • Group :- Craniata (Definite head, Cranium with brain present.)
  • Sub phylum :- Vertebrata (Vertebral column present.)
  • Division :- Gnathostomata (Jaws and paired appendages present.)
  • Super Class :- Tetrapoda (Paired limbs, lungs, cornified skin and bony skeleton.)
  • Class :- Mammalia (Body covered with hairs. Females have mammary glands.)
  • Order :- Artiodactyl (Even-toed hoofed mammals.)
  • Family : Suidae
  • Genus :- Sus
  • Species : scrofa
Classification of Sus Scrofa (Wild Boar)

Geographical distribution

Wild boars (Sus scrofa) have one of the most extensive distributions among terrestrial mammals:

  1. Native Range:
    • Found across Europe, Asia, and North Africa, from the Iberian Peninsula to Japan and Southeast Asia.
  2. Introduced Range:
    • Wild boars have been introduced to the Americas, Australia, and New Zealand, where they are considered invasive species.
  3. Isolated Populations:
    • Islands in the Pacific and Mediterranean regions host small populations, often descendants of introduced individuals.

Habit and habitat

Wild boars (Sus scrofa) are highly adaptable animals found in:

  1. Forests:
    • Prefer deciduous and mixed forests with dense undergrowth, providing cover and food.
  2. Wetlands:
    • Thrive in swampy areas and near water bodies, where they can forage for roots and tubers.
  3. Grasslands and Agricultural Areas:
    • Frequently occupy farmlands, often causing damage to crops due to their rooting behavior.
    • They are primarily nocturnal, foraging at night and resting in dense vegetation during the day.

Comments on Sus Scrofa (Wild Boar)

  • Commonly called as Wild boar. Males larger than females.
  • Body ugly-looking, divisible into small head, small neck, thick trunk, very small tail, chest,
  • abdomen and short legs. Maximum height of one meter and weight approximately 200 kg.
  • Skin thick containing bristle-like hairs.
  • Head contains small eyes, small ears and snout. Snout is flat, and disk-like.
  • Upper canines turn upwards as tusks, besides a pair of lower tusks.
  • Fore legs and hind legs short and stout. Four toes on each foot, only front toe functional.
  • Stomach two-compartmented.
  • Sense of smell and hearing well-developed.
  • Tail of domestic pig is lifted and coiled.
Classification of Sus Scrofa (Wild Boar)

Ecological Importance

Wild boars play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance:

  1. Seed Dispersal:
    • Consume fruits and disperse seeds through their feces, aiding plant regeneration.
  2. Soil Aeration:
    • Rooting behavior aerates soil, which can enhance nutrient cycling and promote plant growth.
  3. Prey Base:
    • Serve as prey for large carnivores such as tigers, wolves, and leopards, supporting predator populations.
  4. Control of Invertebrates:
    • Feed on insects and larvae, helping control pest populations.
  5. Ecosystem Engineers:
    • Their foraging alters vegetation patterns, creating microhabitats for other species.

Conservation Status of Sus Scrofa (Wild Boar)

The IUCN Red List classifies the wild boar as a species of Least Concern due to its wide distribution and large population. However, specific threats and management challenges include:

  1. Habitat Loss:
    • Deforestation and urbanization reduce their natural habitats.
  2. Overhunting:
    • In some regions, wild boars are hunted for meat and sport, which can lead to localized declines.
  3. Invasive Populations:
    • In non-native areas, wild boars disrupt ecosystems, leading to culling programs.

Conservation efforts focus on sustainable management, habitat protection, and preventing the spread of feral populations.

Classification of Sus Scrofa (Wild Boar)

Special features

  1. Physical Strength:
    • Wild boars have a muscular build and can weigh up to 200 kg, with males being larger than females.
  2. Tusks:
    • Both sexes have tusks, but males possess larger, curved tusks used for defense and dominance battles.
  3. Omnivorous Diet:
    • Wild boars consume a wide range of food, including roots, fruits, insects, and small animals, allowing them to survive in varied environments.
  4. Social Behavior:
    • Live in matriarchal groups called sounders, comprising females and their offspring, while adult males are mostly solitary.
  5. Adaptability:
    • Thrive in diverse climates and landscapes, from tropical forests to temperate zones.
  6. Rapid Reproduction:
    • High reproductive rates, with females capable of producing litters of up to 12 piglets twice a year, facilitate population growth.

Evolution

The genus Sus originated in Southeast Asia during the Miocene Epoch, approximately 15 million years ago. Fossil evidence suggests that Sus scrofa diverged from its ancestors around 2 million years ago.

The domestication of wild boars began roughly 9,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent. Over time, selective breeding led to the development of domestic pigs, which exhibit a variety of phenotypes and are now a key component of agriculture worldwide.

Identification

  • Since the animal contains flat snout and all above features, hence it is Wild boar

Pigs provide very high protein food all over the world. Piggery industry has developed at commercial scale. Hairs of pig are used for making brushes. Pigs are scavengers. Although, they are vegetarian but in villages they eat human faeces. They act as intermediate host for Taenia solium of man.

Interesting Facts about Sus Scrofa (Wild Boar)

  1. Wild boars have a keen sense of smell, capable of detecting food buried up to three feet underground.
  2. They are excellent swimmers, often crossing rivers and even small stretches of seawater.
  3. Wild boars communicate using a range of vocalizations, including grunts, squeals, and growls.
  4. Their bristly coat provides protection against predators and harsh weather conditions.
  5. Wild boars can run at speeds of up to 40 km/h (25 mph) when escaping predators.
  6. Male wild boars develop a thick, protective layer of tissue over their shoulders during the mating season to shield against tusk injuries during fights.
  7. Feral boars in non-native regions, such as the United States, cause billions of dollars in agricultural damage annually.
  8. In mythology, wild boars are symbols of strength and courage, often depicted in ancient art and literature.
  9. They have poor eyesight but rely on acute senses of smell and hearing for navigation and foraging.
  10. Wild boars are known to engage in wallowing behavior, rolling in mud to cool down and protect their skin from parasites.

References

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