European wild boar / Eurasian swine (Sus scrofa scrofa)

A European wild boar in captivity looking at the camera.

 

European wild boar (Sus scrofa scrofa) (also known as Eurasian swine) are a Prohibited Invasive Species in Minnesota. European wild boar are native to Europe and Asia. Domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) were domesticated from European wild boar. “Feral pigs” is a broad term for domestic pigs, European wild boar, and their hybrids that are not in captivity (living wild). This webpage is focused on European wild boar (Sus scrofa scrofa).

 

 

 
 

Description

Appearance

European wild boar are hairy. Hair color can be brown, dark black or gray. Piglets are light brown with tan stripes. Piglets lose the stripes as they age.

European wild boar have long pointed heads, narrow snouts, upright ears, tusks, and tails that are long and straight with a tuft of hair at the tip.

Males are larger than females and can reach 250 pounds.

When domestic pigs escape captivity and live in the wild (or if they are held in containment outside exposed to weather), they become hairy and can look very similar to European wild boar. European wild boar can breed with domestic pigs and their hybrids can show a variety of traits.

 

Habitat

European wild boar can live in a wide variety of habitats including forests, wetlands, grasslands, and agricultural areas.

 

Biology

European wild boar can start breeding at 6 months old. They can have multiple litters a year. Litter sizes can range from 2-12. They live in family groups called “sounders” which generally have 2-20 individuals, but larger sized sounders are possible.

 

Origin and Spread

No pig species are native to Minnesota. European wild boar (Sus scrofa scrofa) are native to Europe and Asia. Domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) were domesticated from European wild boar. “Feral pigs” is a broad term for domestic pigs, European wild boar, and their hybrids that are not in captivity (living wild). Feral pigs in the United States are a result of pigs escaping captivity or being intentionally released into the wild by humans. Domestic pigs can survive in the wild. In the United States and Canada, all pig species living in the wild are referred to as “feral pigs” as it is difficult to visually distinguish European wild boar, escaped domestic pigs that have been living the wild, and hybrids of the two.

No populations of European wild boar are currently known to be in Minnesota. In the United States, “feral pigs” are most common in the southern United States although there are populations and reports farther north. In Canada, there are feral pig populations, mainly in the central prairie provinces. This webpage focuses on European wild boar.

Maps: There are not maps that are specific to European wild boar living in the wild in the United States. There are known to be European wild boar in zoos. The links below are informational about feral pigs in general which have a broad genetic origin that can vary from population to population. There are not populations that are known to be solely European wild boar.

  • USDA Feral Swine Population Distribution website has a map of feral pig occurrences in the United States. Note that this covers European wild boar, escaped domestic pigs, and their hybrids. This map is not specific to European wild boar.
  • EDDMapS has a map of feral pig occurrences. Note that this covers European wild boar, escaped domestic pigs, and their hybrids. This map is not specific to European wild boar.
  • Resources for feral pig distribution in Canada: Note that these cover European wild boar, escaped domestic pigs, and their hybrids. These maps are not specific to European wild boar.

Don’t be fooled by these look-alikes

  • Report any pig outside of a fence or containment area (see “Reporting” section). European wild boar, domestic pigs that have been living in the wild or in containment outside exposed to the weather, and hybrids can look very similar. It can take genetic testing to distinguish among them.
  • Domestic pigs, Sus scrofa domesticus (non-native) – Domestic pigs come in many breeds and can vary substantially in size and color. When domestic pigs are living in the wild or outside in containment they can look very much like European wild boar as their teeth grow up and they can be very hairy.
  • Hybrids of domestic pigs and European wild boar, hybrid of Sus scrofa domesticus and Sus scrofa scrofa (non-native) – Domestic pigs and European wild boar can interbreed and have hybrid offspring. Hybrid pigs can look like either parent species or a mix of the two. Genetic testing is required to determine hybrids. This Texas A & M University webpage discusses the potential of hybrid pigs to be spreading in Canada.
  • Potbellied pigs, a local type of Sus scrofa domesticus (non-native) – Potbellied pigs are known as pets and farm animals. They have been bred extensively with multiple lines of pigs and can vary in color, size, and shape. 

A domestic pig lays on straw net to her three piglets. Domestic pigs come in many breeds and can vary substantially in size and color. Domestic pigs come in many breeds and can vary substantially in size and color.

 

 

Two small potbellied pigs on a lawn.Potbellied pigs have been bred extensively with multiple lines of pigs and can vary in color, size, and shape.

Regulatory classification

European wild boar (Sus scrofa scrofa) and their hybrids are Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Prohibited Invasive Species meaning that it is unlawful (a misdemeanor) to possess, import, purchase, transport, or introduce this species except under a permit for disposal, control, research, or education.

Threat to Minnesota

  • Dig up vegetation, damaging crops and native habitats.
  • Eat native species including reptiles, small mammals, amphibians and ground nesting birds.
  • Carry diseases that can spread to humans and animals. Pig diseases can cause economic losses to producers.

What you should do

  • Do not purchase or transport European wild boar. It is illegal to do so.
  • Report any pigs you see outside of a fence or containment area to local law enforcement and the DNR (your local conservation officer, wildlife office, and/or the terrestrial invasive species program coordinator).
  • Do not attempt to kill or remove pigs yourself. Pigs are smart and will become more cautious and very difficult to catch/kill which can lead to reproduction and more pigs on the landscape. Professionals have the tools and training to collect an entire sounder (group) of pigs at once.
  • If you keep domestic pigs, make sure they are properly contained so that they may not escape.

Control methods

Do not attempt to control European wild boar or wild pigs on your own. It is illegal to hunt feral swine in Minnesota (state statute 97A.56). Failed hunting attempts makes the pigs more difficult to catch in the future. It requires professional expertise to catch all the pigs. See the Minnesota Conservation Volunteer 2022 article about feral swine for more details about why hunting is not an effective management strategy. If you see wild pigs report them to the contacts listed in the “Reporting” section below.

Reporting

Report any pigs you see outside of a fence or containment area to local law enforcement and the DNR (your local conservation officer, wildlife office, and/or the terrestrial invasive species program coordinator). In many cases, the exact type of pig (Eurasian wild boar, escaped domestic pig, hybrid, etc.) cannot be determined visually. Reporters are not expected to know the exact type of pig it is and should report all loose pigs.

Resources

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