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What are feral swine

Feral swine are the same species, Sus scrofa, as pigs that are found on farms. Feral swine are descendants of escaped or released pigs. Feral swine are called by many names including; wild boar, wild hog, razorback, piney woods rooter, and Russian or Eurasian boar. No matter the name they are a dangerous, destructive, invasive species.

Longer than they are tall feral swine are much larger than collared peccary/javelina.

Hoof tracks in the mud near springs, ponds, and streams

Collared Peccary aka “javelina” are smaller than feral swine, with a square build, distinct lighter collar of fur and no tail.

History of feral swine in the Americas

Feral swine were first brought to the United States in the 1500s by early explorers and settlers as a source of food. Repeated introductions occurred thereafter. The geographic range of this destructive species is rapidly expanding and its populations are increasing across the nation.

Feral swine often look very similar to domestic hogs, but are generally thinner with thicker hides of coarse bristly hair and longer tusks. Because of their extensive crossbreeding, feral swine vary in color and coat pattern, including combinations of white, black, brown, and red. Piglets are often striped or spotted, but lose this coloration as they mature. Some look like pure Russian or Eurasian wild boars, while others look more like domestic pigs. Feral swine should not be confused with the collared peccary (javelina), a native pig-like mammal of the American Southwest which is generally much smaller than feral swine (15-25 lbs.), and silver-grey to black in color with a defined lighter colored collar.

Adult feral swine weigh between 75 and 250 pounds on average, but some can get twice as large. This invasive species can reach 3 feet in height and 5 feet in length. Males (boars) are larger than females (sows).

Feral swine are muscular and strong, and can run up to 30 miles per hour. Like deer and domestic pigs, feral swine have cloven hooves. Although feral swine tracks look similar to deer tracks, they have a blunter tipped toe, and their tracks have a square shape, compared to the pointed heart-shaped tracks of deer.

Feral swine can breed year-round and can have up to two litters of 4 to 12 piglets per year. Since they become sexually mature at 6 to 8 months of age, feral swine populations have the potential to double in size in four months, which is why population management is so important.

Feral swine generally travel in family groups, called sounders, composed of two or more adult sows and their young. Sounders can vary in size, including a few individuals to as many as 30 members. Adult boars usually live alone or in bachelor groups, only joining a sounder to breed. Because they are usually active at night, feral swine are less frequently seen during daylight hours, particularly in hot, humid climates. It may be easiest to identify feral swine in your area by looking for signs of damage.

Specific signs which indicate the presence of feral swine include:

Extensive rooting or digging, which generally occurs as feral swine search for food

Muddy wallows, especially in moist areas during warmer months

Tree rubbing, which often occurs after wallowing

Tunnels and trails leading through thick vegetation

Scat, which resembles dog feces and may contain partially digested remnants of acorns, grains, and the hair, scales, or feathers of animals that they have eaten Feral Swine track, note the rounded shape of the hoof print.

Farm Bill Projects

Deer Track, note the pointed heart shape of the hoof print.

In 2014, USDA created a new program in APHIS to manage feral swine and reduce the damage they cause to agriculture, property, natural resources, and human health. USDA presently estimates that feral swine cause upwards of 2.5 billion in damage to agriculture, natural resources, and personal property annually.

The Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program (FSCP) is a program authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill. In addition to the existing program, the pilot program specifically targets areas with high feral swine populations, mostly in the southeastern United States. The Farm Bill provides that FSCP be implemented jointly by USDA’s Animal and Plant Health and Inspection Service (APHIS) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Total funding for the program is $75 million for the life of the current Farm Bill and is divided evenly between the APHIS and NRCS.

Pilot Projects

The activities of FSCP are being conducted in areas where feral swine have been identified as a threat, as determined by the Secretary.

USDA originally identified 20 projects in ten States (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Oklahoma, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas) with the highest feral swine populations for initial pilot projects. In FY21, two more states, Hawaii and Missouri joined the FSCP program adding four more project areas. Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas added an additional 10, bringing the total project areas to 34. APHIS and NRCS State level staff worked together with the State Technical Committees to identify pilot projects broadly defined by a geographic area. Project areas were based on biological factors (e.g., watersheds, resource) to enhance operational control and include natural boundaries or other factors (e.g., project size) that will hinder rapid reinvasion of feral swine from surrounding areas.