{"id":12774,"date":"2023-04-17T03:56:01","date_gmt":"2023-04-17T08:56:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/?p=12774"},"modified":"2023-04-17T03:59:56","modified_gmt":"2023-04-17T08:59:56","slug":"how-big-can-wild-boars-get","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/how-big-can-wild-boars-get\/","title":{"rendered":"How Big Can Wild Boars Get?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Wild boars are a familiar sight<\/a> in many parts of the world. The tusked, brown, hairy, piglike creatures can grow quite large at times. But just how large, you ask? How big can wild boars get, and are they dangerous to humans? Keep reading! In this article, we\u2019ll answer these questions and more!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are Wild Boars?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"What<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Wild boars are also known<\/a> by the scientific name Sus Scrofa<\/em>. There are 16 subspecies of these mammals, which are native to Asia, Africa, and Europe but have been introduced throughout the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The wild boar is a type of wild hog, though the term \u201cwild boar\u201d may refer to the males of any hog species as well as other feral hogs.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These animals sometimes crossbreed with other hogs, both wild and domesticated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wild boars typically live in female-led groups called sounders, while adult males are usually solitary except during the breeding season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wild boars are omnivores that will eat almost anything\u2013meat, plant materials, and even non-food items such as trash.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of their natural predators include wolves, tigers, and Komodo dragons. However, in some areas where they have been introduced, such as North America, they have few natural predators, which has allowed them to become an invasive species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the Average Size of a Wild Boar?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Wild boars vary greatly in size depending on where they live. They can adapt to a variety of environments, but they will not grow as large in areas where there are more predators and fewer resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On average, however, most wild boars grow to between 200 and 600 pounds, stand between 20 and 30 inches tall at the shoulder, and are four to five feet long. Females are notably smaller than males. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some parts of the world, it is more common for them to grow just 100 to 200 pounds in weight. In other areas, they regularly grow more than 700 pounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite being so heavy, wild boars tend to be much lighter than domesticated pigs, which may easily exceed 1,000 pounds under the right conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Big Can Wild Boars Get?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Above, we looked at what is average for wild boars\u2013their typical sizes depending on local environmental factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, in reality, wild boars can far exceed what is considered average, especially in areas where they have few natural predators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A massive wild boar weighing 733 pounds was bagged near Fort Bragg, California, in 2012. This beast crushed the state\u2019s previous record by more than 100 pounds.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A year earlier, in 2011, a 760-pound boar was taken down during a deer hunt in Oklahoma. The hunter initially mistook the hog for a cow due to its incredible size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Officially, the largest wild boar on record, known as \u201cHogzilla\u201d, was hunted in Georgia in 2004. It was determined to be over 8 feet long and estimated to weigh over 800 pounds. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hogzilla\u2019s exact size was unknown, however\u2013these figures were estimated months after its death, when National Geographic dug up the carcass to examine it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One wild boar, possibly weighing over 1,100 pounds, and standing five and a half feet tall at the shoulder, was rumored to have been taken down in Russia. However, this rumor has not been confirmed.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These numbers give you an idea of just how large wild boars can get. However, to prove an earlier point, even the heaviest wild pigs don\u2019t come close to some of their domesticated counterparts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The largest domestic pig on record was known as Big Bill. This hog tipped the scales at an unbelievable 2,552 pounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Dangerous Are Wild Boars?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Wild boars have a reputation for being dangerous<\/a>. Even domesticated pigs have injured and killed people on more than one occasion, and wild boars have been known to do so as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the most part, however, wild boars are not aggressive. They prefer to run from danger and will generally leave people alone unless they feel threatened.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When provoked to fight, they are generally pretty desperate or frightened. As such, they can be extremely dangerous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They can run anywhere from 15 to 30 miles per hour, so it can be difficult to outrun a charging boar unless you have a good head start. What\u2019s more, they have long, sharp tusks which they can use to gore a perceived threat to death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their weight also makes them dangerous. Since they can grow quite heavy, they can cause serious injury or death by trampling victims. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, many wild boars carry diseases, including hepatitis and tuberculosis. These diseases can pass into your bloodstream if a wild boar bites you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So yes, wild boars are definitely dangerous. But remember, they usually aren\u2019t looking to pick a fight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you live close to wild boars, just try to give them space. Chances are, they will leave you alone as long as you leave them alone. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And in case you accidentally get too close, check out this video to find out what to do if you are ever confronted by a wild boar:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=i8zoeXXDHj0<\/a>