European Wild Boar

Native to Europe and Asian woodland and grassland areas, the wild boar lived first in Asia and then migrated to Europe several hundred years ago. They are the principle ancestor of today's domestic pig, are brown, black and dark gray in color and can be found worldwide as a result of domestication. Characteristics distinguishing them from other boars include: shorter than the domestic pig, longer hair, more narrow snout, coarse bristle hair that grows heavier in winter months and four tusks that grow continually throughout their lives. They are omnivorous animals that eat everything from nuts, green plants, insects and small animals. They are considered harmful to agriculture because of their destructive feeding habits. The boar is primarily active during twilight and earlhty morning , but when it is in the heat of day, they are often found wallowing in the mud to keep cool and to protect their skin from the sunlight.