Special Features:
- The boar will develop a 1 inch thick layer of cartilage and scar tissue called a shield along his neck and chest back to the last rib to protect it during battle.
- They have a keen sense of hearing and smell.
- Their eyesight is hindered since it cannot raise its head like other wild life to see over vegetation.
- Boars wallow in mud or cool areas to reduce body heat since they cannot sweat, to prevent sunburn and to repel insects.
- Found in large herds called sounders with up to 100 members.
Social Structure & Behavior:
Breeding/Care of Young:
Wild males reach sexual maturity at 18-24 months old while females reach maturity at 1 year.
Sows are in estrus every 21 days and are receptive only 48 hours.
A sow can produce up to 2 litters per year with 4-6 piglets in each litter.
Gestation is 115 days.
Young wild boars are born with yellowish-brown coats with distinct dark stripes along the back providing camouflage. Stripes disappear after 4 months.
Wild sows will babysit for each other caring for the piglets while the other sows go off to eat.
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