Feral Hogs

Feral Hog, Sus scrofa, in South Texas

While feral hogs can be found throughout much of North America, including Hawaii, it is estimated at least half are located in Texas alone. Current estimations put their population to upwards of around 8 million hogs which cause about $1.5 billion in annual damage and control costs. In addition to the damage caused by feral hogs, they spread a variety of diseases that can affect people, livestock, wildlife, and local water supplies. Feral hogs, not to be confused with the native collared peccary, were first introduce to the mainland in 1539 by Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto. These bred with free-ranged domestic swine and Eurasian wild boars that were introduced years later which has led to variations in appearance and their common name. Feral hogs are capable of breeding before one year of age, may have up to two litters a year with an average size of four to fix, but with reports of up to twelve, and can live on average four to five years and upwards to eight years. These factors in addition to their higher intelligence makes population control extremely difficult. Trapping with preference for guillotine gates and year round hunting are current measures used to try and control the feral hog population, but their range continues to expand.

Note: There is currently no evidence of feral hogs breeding with the resident warthog population.