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Species in News: Wild Boar
Context:
The Tamil Nadu government has decided to allow culling of wild boars that cause distress to farmers in farmland close to forest areas.
About Wild Boar:
- Classification:
-
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Subphylum: Vertebrata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Artiodactyla
- Family: Suidae
- Genus: Sus
- Species: Sus scrofa
- Species Identification: also known as feral pigs or hogs, are native to Asia, parts of North Africa, and most of Europe,
- become invasive on every continent except Antarctica.
- Historical Context: Domestication of Eurasian wild boars began about 9,000 years ago in Europe and Asia.
- Introduced to other continents by Europeans in the 16th century, some escaped and formed wild populations.
- Physical Characteristics: they resemble domestic pigs,
- with bulky bodies, long snouts, black hooves, and coarse hair.
- They can vary in colour and have a distinctive shield or shoulder plate for protection during fights.
- Tusks: Both males (boars) and females (sows) have tusks used for defence and mating rituals. Boars are larger.
- Diet and Behavior: they are omnivores, nocturnal but adjust their behaviour. They are good swimmers.
- Social Structure: They live in small family groups called sounders.
- Males are typically solitary but may form bachelor groups and join sounders during mating.
- Human-Wildlife Conflict: Considered an invasive species, wild boars cause significant ecological and economic damage by displacing native species, damaging property, and spreading diseases.
Indian wild boar:
- The Indian wild boar (Sus scrofa cristatus) is a robust mammal found in India’s wildlife.
- Habitat: includes high grass or bushes, forests, and areas with high crops.
- Behaviour: They are active during morning, evening, and night.
- They are known for their courage and engage in territorial fights.
- Impact on Agriculture: Considered destructive to crops, pose a significant threat to agriculture.
- Currently classified as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List.