Feral Hogs
Benny Kimball
BI-430-01
December 12, 2013
Sus Scrofa (Feral Hog) Species Profile
The Profile:
Sus scrofa, commonly known as feral hogs, have been present in North America region since the arrival of the earliest settlers in the sixteenth century (Ditchkoff and West 2007). Colonist’s originally released feral hogs because of the high adaptability of this species to their surrounding habitat and ability to survive thus being a ready food supply for settlers. Due to their high adaptability to new habitat, this solution species for the survival of settlers has now become a problematic species within the ecosystem today. Feral hogs currently occur in 40 of the 50 states, can strongly influence ecosystem processes, and often directly or indirectly affect native flora and fauna, as well as crops and soil (Mayer and Brisbin 1991, Ditchkoff and West 2007, Kaller et al. 2007, Hartin et al. 2007). Due to the strong and often negative effects feral hogs have on natural systems, as well as economically valued commodities, managers are often tasked with developing and implementing control programs for this species (Engeman et al. 2007, Rollings et al. 2007).
Basic Biology:
Feral hogs are omnivores with an opportunistic diet, including high fiber /low-protein grasses, legumes, herbs, and roots. They readily feed on crops, fallen fruits, fungus, nuts, seeds, grubs and small animals. Having this ability to adapt and receive high levels of nutrients from many foods in a variety of habitats, they are able to obtain the nutrients it takes to carry and nurse young. A diet of this kind has a potential for a high reproductive rate. Sows are reproductive at approximately 6-9 months of age, depending on favorable conditions. They have the highest potential reproductive rate of any ungulate, potentially breeding all year round with two litters per female (Barrett 1978). The number of piglets per litter can vary greatly, ranging from 3-18(book).
Mating season is a very fierce
BI-430-01
December 12, 2013
Sus Scrofa (Feral Hog) Species Profile
The Profile:
Sus scrofa, commonly known as feral hogs, have been present in North America region since the arrival of the earliest settlers in the sixteenth century (Ditchkoff and West 2007). Colonist’s originally released feral hogs because of the high adaptability of this species to their surrounding habitat and ability to survive thus being a ready food supply for settlers. Due to their high adaptability to new habitat, this solution species for the survival of settlers has now become a problematic species within the ecosystem today. Feral hogs currently occur in 40 of the 50 states, can strongly influence ecosystem processes, and often directly or indirectly affect native flora and fauna, as well as crops and soil (Mayer and Brisbin 1991, Ditchkoff and West 2007, Kaller et al. 2007, Hartin et al. 2007). Due to the strong and often negative effects feral hogs have on natural systems, as well as economically valued commodities, managers are often tasked with developing and implementing control programs for this species (Engeman et al. 2007, Rollings et al. 2007).
Basic Biology:
Feral hogs are omnivores with an opportunistic diet, including high fiber /low-protein grasses, legumes, herbs, and roots. They readily feed on crops, fallen fruits, fungus, nuts, seeds, grubs and small animals. Having this ability to adapt and receive high levels of nutrients from many foods in a variety of habitats, they are able to obtain the nutrients it takes to carry and nurse young. A diet of this kind has a potential for a high reproductive rate. Sows are reproductive at approximately 6-9 months of age, depending on favorable conditions. They have the highest potential reproductive rate of any ungulate, potentially breeding all year round with two litters per female (Barrett 1978). The number of piglets per litter can vary greatly, ranging from 3-18(book).
Mating season is a very fierce