Wild boar

멧돼지

The wild boar is the wild ancestor of the domestic pig, living in forests across Europe and Asia. It roots in the soil for acorns and roots, and sows travel with their striped piglets.

See it on the 3D globe →

At a glance

Class: Mammals
Lives in: Broadleaf forests of central Europe
Diet: Eats both plants and meat (omnivore)
Weight: about 80 kg
Length: about 1.45 m
Top speed: about 40 km/h
Lifespan: up to about 20 years
Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN LC)
Habitat: forests, grasslands, wetlands

Quick answers

Where does the Wild boar live?

It lives in forests, grasslands, wetlands. On the globe you can find it near Broadleaf forests of central Europe.

How big is the Wild boar?

It grows to about 1.45 m and 80 kg.

What does the Wild boar eat?

Its diet: eats both plants and meat (omnivore).

How fast is the Wild boar?

It can reach about 40 km/h.

How long does the Wild boar live?

It can live up to about 20 years.

Is the Wild boar endangered?

It is listed as Least Concern (IUCN LC).

The wild boar is a wild pig native to much of Europe, Asia and North Africa, and it has been introduced to the Americas and Oceania. It is one of the widest-ranging mammals in the world, and it is rated Least Concern because it is common and adaptable.

It is the ancestor of most domestic pig breeds. Females live with their young in family groups, and adult males are usually alone except in the breeding season. The wild boar is a smart, adaptable animal, which explains how it spread to so many parts of the world. It is mostly active at night.

Where does it live and what does it eat?

Wild boars live in forests, grasslands and wetlands, and root in the soil with their strong snouts for acorns and roots. They eat many kinds of food, which helps them live in many habitats.

The wolf is the main predator in most places, while in the Far East it is the tiger. Up to 16 subspecies are recognised, grouped into four regional groups by skull shape.

Piglets and people

Piglets have pale stripes on their coats that fade as they grow, helping to hide them in the forest.

Humans have hunted wild boar for thousands of years. In some regions boars have mixed with escaped farm pigs, and these hybrids have become a serious pest in the Americas and Australia. Adult males, also called boars, are usually solitary outside the mating season.

Fun facts

The wild boar is the ancestor of the farm pig, and its piglets have pale stripes that fade as they grow.
Most farm pigs descend from wild boars.
Piglets are striped.
Wolves are their main predator, but tigers take over in the Far East.