I live in West Texas and wild hogs are a fact of life. Their size and habits can make significant changes in the countryside. On a recent hike along a county road near my home, I encountered the above scene.

The ground has been disturbed by something. Notice in this image in the bottom right what the grassland looked like before it was rearranged.

In this image you can see the deep tracks of wild hogs that were made when this patch of ground was wet. So, I think it is fair to conclude all the rooting around occurred in damp or muddy soil. Great for the pig’s nose, not so great for the prairie.

Here is another shot showing disturbed ground along a fenceline and what undisturbed pasture should look like on the other side of the fence.

Finally, you can get a sense of how deep these animals will dig in search of food. Also, note the proximity to the county road. These animals can be very destructive to crops and countryside. Their only natural predator is man in these parts. They are an example of a destructive invasive species and what happens when people introduce a species into an ecosystem without consideration of the consequences.

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This image shows a European Wild Hog in sedges near a marsh. Sus scrofa is the parent species to the domestic hogs we raise and consume for food. Pigs belong to the order Artiodactyla which means even-toed ungulates. These creatures walk on their third and fourth digits which are flanked by the smaller second and fifth digits. Artiodactyls include camels, hippopotamuses, deer, giraffes, sheep, goats, cattle and antelopes. Sometimes this group is called the cloven-hoofed mammals.

Wild Hogs are a nuisance species in Texas because they breed throughout the year and can produce litter sizes averaging between 3 and 12 piglets. Their long lifespan of 5- 20 years means that one female could add 15 to 240 individuals to the population.

Since they are omnivores, they feed on roots, nuts, grain, plant stems, insects and their larvae, other small animals and even carrion. Thus, they can become destructive to farmers when a large band decides to eat their crops.

Furthermore, they pose a traffic hazard along highways where individuals and family groups can be found crossing roadways. These large mammals can create serious problems for motorists because they are most active in the early morning and evening when the light conditions make them difficult to see.

Since there are few or no natural predators, wild hog populations expand. Some folks hunt these animals for food. Some landowners shoot them and leave them for the vultures. Wild hogs can pose a danger to humans who encounter them while on foot. Your best bet is to leave them alone and withdraw from where they are without upsetting them because they will attack when they feel threatened.

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