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Wild Boar

Sus scrofa

Mammal · family Suidae · order Artiodactyla

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G5: secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Wild Boar
Photo: Valentin Panzirsch, CC BY-SA 3.0 at, via Wikimedia Commons.
Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G5 Secure[2]
Longest recorded life
27 years[3]

The Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) is a mammal in the family Suidae (order Artiodactyla), also called the Feral Hog[4][5]. It is not listed under the US Endangered Species Act, and NatureServe lists it as introduced in 14 states[6][7].

Conservation status

NatureServe gives the Wild Boar a global rank of G5, which means Secure[2]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[8]. The animal is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. In all 14 states where NatureServe records it, the state rank is SNA[7], and it is listed as introduced, not native, in each of them[6].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G5 (Secure)
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[8] Least concern

Where Wild Boar lives

NatureServe lists the Wild Boar as introduced, not native, in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia[6]. On GBIF, the states with the most records are Texas, California, Florida, Hawaii and South Carolina have the most records, but that follows how much people look and report, not how many animals live there[9].

Alaska: not recordedAKMaine: not recordedMEWisconsin: not recordedWIVermont: not recordedVTNew Hampshire: not recordedNHWashington: not recordedWAIdaho: not recordedIDMontana: not recordedMTNorth Dakota: not recordedNDMinnesota: not recordedMNIllinois: not recordedILMichigan: not recordedMINew York: not recordedNYMassachusetts: not recordedMAOregon: introduced, state rank SNAORNevada: not recordedNVWyoming: not recordedWYSouth Dakota: not recordedSDIowa: not recordedIAIndiana: not recordedINOhio: not recordedOHPennsylvania: introduced, state rank SNAPANew Jersey: not recordedNJConnecticut: not recordedCTRhode Island: not recordedRICalifornia: not recordedCAUtah: not recordedUTColorado: not recordedCONebraska: not recordedNEMissouri: not recordedMOKentucky: introduced, state rank SNAKYWest Virginia: introduced, state rank SNAWVVirginia: introduced, state rank SNAVAMaryland: not recordedMDDelaware: not recordedDEArizona: introduced, state rank SNAAZNew Mexico: introduced, state rank SNANMKansas: not recordedKSArkansas: not recordedARTennessee: introduced, state rank SNATNNorth Carolina: introduced, state rank SNANCSouth Carolina: not recordedSCDistrict of Columbia: not recordedDCOklahoma: not recordedOKLouisiana: not recordedLAMississippi: introduced, state rank SNAMSAlabama: introduced, state rank SNAALGeorgia: introduced, state rank SNAGAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: introduced, state rank SNATXFlorida: introduced, state rank SNAFLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[7].
Show state ranks (14 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaSNANot Applicable
ArizonaSNANot Applicable
FloridaSNANot Applicable
GeorgiaSNANot Applicable
KentuckySNANot Applicable
MississippiSNANot Applicable
New MexicoSNANot Applicable
North CarolinaSNANot Applicable
OregonSNANot Applicable
PennsylvaniaSNANot Applicable
TennesseeSNANot Applicable
TexasSNANot Applicable
VirginiaSNANot Applicable
West VirginiaSNANot Applicable

Habitat

NatureServe records many habitats for the Wild Boar, including hardwood, conifer and mixed forest, woodland, shrubland, grassland, old fields, cropland, forested wetland and riparian areas[10]. It is often found in mixed hardwood forest that has a permanent water source[11]. Where it lives in the year can shift with the food that is available[11]. Young are born in a hidden spot in thick brush or shade on high, dry ground[11].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[10]

Size, diet and lifespan

The Wild Boar eats many kinds of food, including nuts, roots, tubers, grasses, fruit, berries, small animals and carrion (dead animals)[12]. One estimate puts its diet at 60% plant material other than seeds, 10% seeds, 10% other vertebrates, 10% invertebrates and 10% carrion[13]. NatureServe records a typical length of 182 cm (72 in) and a typical adult weight of 150 kg (331 lb)[14][15]. Gestation is about 115 days and a typical litter is 7 young[16][17]. Females reach sexual maturity at about 334 days[18]. The longest recorded lifespan is 27 years in captivity[3].

Trait Value
Typical length[14] 182 cm (72 in)
Typical adult weight[15] 150 kg (331 lb)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[3] 27 years (captivity)
Litter or clutch size[16] 7
Gestation or incubation[17] 115 days
Female maturity[18] 334 days (about 0.9 years)
Food habits[19] Carnivore, Invertivore, Herbivore, Granivore, Frugivore
Active[20] nocturnal, crepuscular
Migration[21] non-migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[13]

  • 60% other plant material
  • 10% seeds
  • 10% other vertebrates
  • 10% invertebrates
  • 10% carrion

When to look for it

The Wild Boar is a non-migrant, though populations can differ[21]. It is often crepuscular, which means active around dawn and dusk[22]. In summer it is more often active at night, and in cooler months more often by day[22]. It may breed year-round, with seasonal peaks[23]. GBIF records in the US are highest in January, March and April, but that shows when people look and report, not animal numbers[24].

January: 1,259 recordsJanFebruary: 1,055 recordsFebMarch: 1,249 recordsMarApril: 1,312 recordsAprMay: 1,010 recordsMayJune: 794 recordsJunJuly: 821 recordsJulAugust: 813 recordsAugSeptember: 893 recordsSepOctober: 1,064 recordsOctNovember: 979 recordsNovDecember: 1,063 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[24].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January1,259
February1,055
March1,249
April1,312
May1,010
June794
July821
August813
September893
October1,064
November979
December1,063

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Wild Boar as present in 31 park units[25]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

And 7 more park units.

States with the most GBIF observation records: Texas, California, Florida, Hawaii, South Carolina[9]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the Wild Boar endangered?
No. It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it G5, Secure, worldwide[2].
Where does the Wild Boar live in the US?
NatureServe lists it as introduced in 14 states, from Alabama and Arizona to Virginia and West Virginia[6][7]. It is not native to any of them in that list[7].
What does the Wild Boar eat?
It eats nuts, roots, tubers, grasses, fruit, berries, small animals and carrion[12]. One estimate says about 60% of its diet is plant material other than seeds[13].
How big is a Wild Boar?
NatureServe records a typical length of 182 cm (72 in) and a typical adult weight of 150 kg (331 lb)[14][15].
How long does a Wild Boar live?
The longest recorded lifespan is 27 years, in captivity[3]. That is a record, not a typical lifespan.

Facts and sources

  1. Wild Boar is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Wild Boar: G5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 27 years in captivity. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  4. Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) is a mammal in the family Suidae, order Artiodactyla. NatureServe Explorer
  5. Other English names listed by NatureServe for Wild Boar: Eurasian Wild Boar, Feral Hog, Porco, Sanglier. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe lists Wild Boar as introduced (not native) in: Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia. NatureServe Explorer
  7. NatureServe state ranks for Wild Boar (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  8. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  9. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Wild Boar: Texas, California, Florida, Hawaii, South Carolina. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF
  10. Habitat types NatureServe records for Wild Boar: Forest - hardwood, Forest - conifer, Forest - mixed, Woodland - hardwood, Woodland - conifer, Woodland - mixed, Shrubland/chaparral, Grassland/herbaceous, Old field, Cropland/hedgerow, Forested wetland,... NatureServe Explorer
  11. NatureServe notes on habitat for Wild Boar. NatureServe Explorer
  12. NatureServe notes on food for Wild Boar. NatureServe Explorer
  13. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 60% other plant material, 10% seeds, 10% other vertebrates, 10% invertebrates, 10% carrion. EltonTraits 1.0
  14. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 182 cm (72 in). NatureServe Explorer
  15. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 150 kg (331 lb). NatureServe Explorer
  16. Typical litter or clutch size in AnAge: 7. AnAge
  17. Gestation or incubation period in AnAge: 115 days. AnAge
  18. Age at female sexual maturity in AnAge: 334 days (about 0.9 years). AnAge
  19. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Carnivore, Invertivore, Herbivore, Granivore, Frugivore. NatureServe Explorer
  20. Activity time in EltonTraits 1.0: nocturnal, crepuscular. EltonTraits 1.0
  21. NatureServe migration category for Wild Boar: non-migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  22. NatureServe notes on phenology for Wild Boar. NatureServe Explorer
  23. NatureServe notes on reproduction for Wild Boar. NatureServe Explorer
  24. GBIF observation records of Wild Boar in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  25. NPSpecies park lists recording Wild Boar as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.

Photo: Valentin Panzirsch, CC BY-SA 3.0 at, via Wikimedia Commons.