General Distribution
Wild pigs are well established on the Los Padres National Forest in Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa
Barbara, and southwestern Ventura Counties (Stephenson and Calcarone 1999). The southern range of
this species approaches the western border of the Angeles National Forest. Expanding populations of
wild pigs could potentially inhabit portions of the Angeles National Forest now or in the future. Systematics
Wild pig (also referred to as wild boar or wild hog) is native to North Africa, Europe, southern Russia,
and China south to the Middle East, India, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia (Wilson and Reeder
1993). Although a domestic form of the pig (Sus indicus) was reportably introduced into North America
prior to the 1500s (Chapman and Feldhamer 1982), wild pigs from Europe were more recently
introduced to a private game preserve in western North Carolina in 1912 (Jameson and Peeters 1988). A
hunting group first brought wild pigs to California in 1924, where they were released in Monterey
County. Several years later more were released into the Los Padres National Forest (Jameson and
Peeters 1988). Since their introduction, interbreeding between wild and domestic pigs has resulted in
hybridization. Present day North American wild pig populations are probably a mixture of European
wild pigs, recent domestic pigs, and feral pigs (Chapman and Feldhamer 1982). Habitat Requirements
In California, wild pigs occur in oak woodlands, annual grasslands, coniferous and hardwood forests,
riparian areas, and chaparral. Adequate cover is an essential habitat requirement for wild pigs (Barrett
1978). Habitat features such as rock crevices, caves, and thick brush are used for resting and shade.
Wild pigs also need a nearby source of water for drinking and wallowing. Reproduction
Wild pigs are capable of breeding year-round. In California, Barrett (1978) reported wild pig
populations to have two peaks in breeding activity: one in July and the other in November. Females
produce one to two litters a year of 1–10 young (average = 5.6) (Barrett 1978). Young wild pigs
generally become sexually mature at about 6 months. Reproductive success is highly correlated with
food supply (Zeiner and others 1990). Daily/Seasonal Activity
Wild pigs are mostly nocturnal. Some daytime activity occurs during cooler weather and is more
common in the winter.
Males are solitary except during the breeding season or when food is concentrated. Females tend to
travel in family groups consisting of one-three generations of offspring (Barrett 1978). Diet and Foraging
Wild pigs are omnivorous. They are opportunistic feeders, eating a variety of plant and animal matter
including roots, tubers, grasses, forbs, mushrooms, acorns, berries, insects, salamanders, bird eggs, and
carrion; however, plant material is preferred over animal matter (Chapman and Feldhamer 1982). Wild
pigs in California exhibit seasonal variations in foraging habits as a result of food availability (Barrett
1978). In early spring, wild pigs predominantly eat grasses and forbs. In late spring and early summer,
they switch to a diet of mostly wild oats and bulbs. During the summer, bulbs are the primary food until
manzanita berries become available in late summer. Acorns constitute an important part of the diet from
late fall through winter. Wild pigs forage above and below the ground surface. Below ground foraging
is accomplished by rooting. Territoriality/Home Range
In California, male pigs had home ranges of at least 12,355 acres (5,000 hectares) and females were
observed to range over 2,471-6,178 acres (1,000-2,500 hectares) (Barrett 1978). Wild pigs are not
known to exhibit territorial behavior (Zeiner and others 19990). Predator-Prey Relations
Everyone loves bacon! Actually, The only known predator of wild pig in California is the coyote (Barrett 1978). Although wild pig
remains were found in coyote scat, it is unclear whether the pigs were killed by coyotes or consumed as
carrion. In other areas of North America, black bears, bobcats, and mountain lions have been reported
as occasional predators of wild pigs (Chapman and Feldhamer 1982). Literature Cited
Barrett, R.H. 1978. The feral hog on the Dye Creek Ranch, California. Hilgardia 46: 283-355.
Chapman, J.A.; Feldhamer, G.A., eds. 1982. Wild mammals of North America: Biology, management,
and economics. Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press.
Jameson, E.W.; Peeters, H.J. 1988. California mammals. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.
Stephenson, J.R.; Calcarone, G.M. 1999. Southern California mountains and foothills assessment:
Habitat and species conservation issues. General Technical Report GTR-PSW-172. Albany, CA: Pacific
Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Updike, D. (Ed.). 1999. Wild pig hunting; success increases on public lands. [Homepage of California
Department of Fish and Game], [Online]. Available: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/news/news99/99059.html.
Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M., eds. 1993. Mammal species of the world. Smithsonian Institution Press.
Wood, G.W.; Barrett, R.H. 1979. Status of wild pigs in the United States. Wildlife Society Bulletin 7:
237-246.
Zeiner, D.C., Laudenslayer, W.K., Jr.; Meyer, K.E.; White, M., eds. 1990. California's wildlife. Volume
III: Mammals. California statewide wildlife habitat relationships system. Sacramento, CA: California
Department of Fish and Game.
Information gathered from California DFG - California Interagency Wildlife Task Group
