Pigs possess many biological and behavioral traits that enable them to live just about anywhere
and quickly populate new areas.
Wild Pig in Snowy Conditions
Wild Pigs Can Live Almost Anywhere
Are habitat generalists
Are highly adaptable
Can live in many different habitats
Can tolerate a wide range of climates
Can live as far away as a day's walk from water
Wild Pigs Eat Almost Anything
Are opportunistic omnivores
Eat mostly plant matter
Also eat invertebrates such as worms, insects, and insect larvae
Will eat small mammals, newborns of larger mammals, and eggs and young of ground-nesting
birds and reptiles
A Sow Nursing Piglets
Wild Pigs Can Reproduce Rapidly
Have a high reproductive potential
Some individuals sexually mature as early as 6 months of age
Litter size averages 6 piglets, but ranges from 3-8 piglets
Females can give birth twice in one year.
Wild Pigs Have Low Rates of Natural Mortality
Have few predators in the U.S.
Most vulnerable to predation when young
In the U.S., few predators are a threat to wild pigs 40 pounds or greater in size
Mortality rates from diseases and parasites is unknown
Mortality is mostly a result of humans: hunting, trapping, car collisions
Tombigbee River near Demopolis, Alabama