Wild boar fact file
2nd October 2024
Our ‘Tails’ of UK Wildlife campaign explores the ways in which you hold the power to rewrite the story of local wildlife and nature. Plus, through our campaign, we’ve partnered with some of the wonderful charities who are working tirelessly to improve biodiversity for the benefit of all.
The species ‘hogging the spotlight’ for this fact file is the infamous wild boar! Although controversial, the wild boar undoubtedly has a role to play in managing ecosystems and helping to keep them healthy.
Let’s take a closer look at wild boar and find out why they’re important…
What are they?
Mammals.
Scientific name: Sus scrofa
Also known as: Eurasian Wild Pig
Where are they from?
Wild boar prefer living in woodland areas where there’s an abundance of food sources, like seeds and insects.
It’s believed wild boar populations primarily live in the Forest of Dean, South East Wales, and North West Scotland, along with parts of South East and South West England.
Signs there may be wild boar in the area include:
- Cloven hoof tracks.
- Wallow holes in mud (since that’s how they keep cool).
- Damaged ground (overturned turf as they’ve searched for food, e.g. worms).
Important: Wild boar are powerful and can be aggressive – especially females with piglets – so, if you meet one on a walk through the woods, move away slowly in the opposite direction.
What's their average life span?
Average life span is estimated to be around 10 years in the wild – though some have been known to live for up to 27 years!
How big are they?
Height at the shoulder: 80cm
Length: 100cm-200cm
Weight: 60kg-200kg
What do they eat?
As omnivores, wild boar can eat a huge variety of plants and animals.
For example, wild boar can eat:
- Carrion (dead animals).
- Small mammals.
- Eggs.
- Worms.
- Insects.
Are they nocturnal?
Yes! Wild boar are nocturnal, which means they’re most active at night.
Did you know? A wild boar’s eyesight is poor, though they have an excellent sense of smell to search for food through the soil!
Do they mate for life?
No, wild boar do not mate for life. However, the majority of adult female wild boar live in large groups, together with their young, called ‘sounders’ – whereas adult males are solitary.
Despite not mating for life, wild boar are highly social and matriarchal (female-led) groups can include a bustling 20-100 individuals!
How many are there?
Sadly, wild boar were hunted to extinction during the Middle Ages. Yet, despite their return, the species still has a complicated relationship with humans – since there are culls in place in some areas, to control population growth.
Although current populations of boar in the UK are descendants of captive animals who escaped or were released, it’s estimated there are around 2,600 individuals living wild across the country.
Three fun facts
Fact 1 – The wild boar is an ancestor of the domestic pig!
Fact 2 – Wild boar males develop tusks from about two years of age; their tusks grow from both upper and lower canine teeth, with upper tusks reaching up to 12cm in length.
Fact 3 – Despite their complex relationship with humans, the wild boar is considered one of the most intelligent animals.
Actions you can take to help wild boar
If you’d like to help the wild boar population here in the UK, support charities who are finding ways to reintroduce the species in a nature-friendly way.
For even more inspiration as to the steps you can take towards nurturing nature and protecting wildlife, you could visit our articles about:
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