General Description
Photo: MSU Extension
Wild hogs (Sus scrofa), also known as wild pigs, feral pigs, wild boars, feral hogs, feral swine, wild swine, brush hogs, or razorbacks, are now found in at least 45 states and all 82 counties in Mississippi. The most concentrated populations can be found in the southeastern United States and California (shown above). Wild hogs are non-ruminant (simple stomach) ungulates (hoofed mammals).
Their bodies can be described as thick and stocky with short legs and prominent snout. Wild hogs most often have erect ears and short tails which can be curly or straight. Adult males (boars) average 150 to 200 lbs, but can exceed 400 lbs. Females (sows) are usually slightly smaller than boars. The most common coat color of wild hogs is black, but depending on their genetics and lineage, colors such as blonde, red, brown, grey, or spotted or splotchy combinations of these colors may be seen. Young piglets can exhibit black, brown, or tan horizontal striping which fades into solid coloring within about 4 months.
