It seems like there is always a
new story floating around the internet or on TV about the latest over-sized “super
pig”. Details of the story are always a
little different, with weights easily exceeding 1,000 pounds. Feral hogs grow to impressive sizes for sure,
but the vast majority of super pig stories are dubious at best. We have received a lot of emails asking about
the validity of these stories and feral hog biology.
Feral hogs are large, non-native, and invasive
species in the United States. The
average adult feral hog typically weighs 100 - 150 pounds and stands 2 - 3 feet
tall at the shoulder. Usually, hogs are
no longer than about 5 feet. Though they
can reach weights in excess of 300 pounds, it is exceedingly rare for a feral
hog to break 400 pounds.
Records of hogs approaching 700 pounds have been reported but are difficult to substantiate.
Records of hogs approaching 700 pounds have been reported but are difficult to substantiate.
Feral hogs are opportunistic omnivores,
eating both plants and other animals depending on availability. Much of their
diet consists of plant roots and tubers. The most obvious sign of feral hog
presence is rooting, which leaves areas devoid of vegetation and with highly
disturbed soil. Rooting, wallowing, and crop predation by feral hogs cause an
average of $52 million annually to the agriculture industry. Wallowing, rooting,
and defecating in riparian areas are also detrimental to the integrity of water quality in streams and rivers, a major
concern given the several years of drought we have experienced in Texas. Hogs
are also known to be significant nest and hatchling predators of ground nesting
birds and reptiles. For more information see our publication on Feral
Hog Nest Predation.
Many people enjoy feral hog
hunting, but this species also poses huge a threat to Texas ecosystems and
wildlife. Feral hogs compete with native wildlife, such as white-tailed deer,
for food resources and can alter the composition of plant communities and
affect ecosystem functioning. It is important that the public understand feral
hog biology and how they impact the environments they occupy. For more information on Feral Hog impacts on
ecosystems check out our publication on Feral
Hog impacts on plant communities.
For detailed information and
answers to specific questions on Feral Hogs check out the brand new Feral Hog
Community of Practice launched by the Cooperative Extension System. Wildlife experts
from around the country have come together to provide the most credible hog
information resource.
It can be found at: http://www.extension.org/feral_hogs
The hyper-linked resource document below will provide you with quick access to many of our online feral hog resources including publications, fact sheets and videos.
References:
Taylor, R. (1991). The
Feral Hog in Texas. TPWD. Austin, TX.
Ditchkoff, S. S. and B.
C. West (2007). "Ecology and management of feral hogs."
Human–Wildlife Conflicts 1(2): 149-151.
Tolleson, D. R., W. E.
Pinchak, et al. (1995). FERAL HOGS IN THE ROLLING PLAINS OF TEXAS:
PERSPECTIVES, PROBLEMS, AND POTENTIAL. Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control
Workshop Proceedings.