Feral Hogs

Question 1

Where are feral hogs native to and when did they get introduced to Canada and by who and why

Answer 1

Native to Eurasia and parts of North America

Introduced in 1980s and 1990s from Europe in attempt to diversify breeding stock and for shooting as “penned game”

Spread from BC to Quebec by 2017

Question 2

Why were feral hogs easily able to spread across Canada

Answer 2

Ability to breed with domesticated pigs and adaptability to live on different food sources and in different climates/environments

Question 3

True or false

The hybrid feral hogs seen today are the most invasive mammal in Canada

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Where are the majority of feral hogs in Canada

Answer 4

South-central Saskatchewan

Question 5

Why are feral hogs a problem

Answer 5

Threat to native species due to their impact on the environment and hunting capabilities

Harm domesticated pets and livestock

Harmful to crops due to their digging, rooting and feeding on them

Threat to people: very aggressive and can weigh up to 120-250 lbs

Question 6

Social groups of feral hogs usually involve

Answer 6

Sows and their offspring

Question 7

Other groups involve

Answer 7

Single adults
Subadults
Piglets
(Typically males)

Question 8

What are sounders

Answer 8

Groups made up of 2-3 reproductive females and their litters

Question 9

What does the population of groups of feral hogs range between

Answer 9

2-30 or more

Can reach you to 100 but rare due to increased competition

Question 10

A single feral hog can be in any group depending on its

Answer 10

Age

Question 11

True or false

Feral hogs are herbivores

Answer 11

False

They are omnivores

Question 12

True or false

Feral hogs can breed in any season

Answer 12

True

Question 13

Feral hogs are ____ polyestrus and are sexually mature within ___ months of age

Answer 13

Seasonally polyestrus

4-8 months of age

Question 14

What is the gestation period for feral hogs and what are their typical litter sizes

Answer 14

112-115 days

Litters if 4-6

Question 15

Pregnant sows will build a ____ ____ about a day before giving birth and will reduce their home range to provide

Answer 15

Farrowing nest

Provides protection from the weather and predators

Question 16

When do piglets become independent from their mother and leave the group

Answer 16

About 7 months of age

Question 17

What is wallowing

Answer 17

Behaviour done to keep cool, and repel insects. done by bathing themselves in mud

Seen mostly in the summer but they will break ice to wallow in the winter

Have negative affects on the environment -a contributes to bank erosion, destroys aquatic vegetation and lowers fish population

Question 18

What is rubbing

Answer 18

Behaviour frequently seen near wallowing areas where they rub on sturdy objects to scratch themselves, remove mud, hair and parasites

Question 19

Who do feral hogs have symbiotic relationships with

Answer 19

Wild birds

They eat parasites off the pigs (grooming)

Pigs will sit still and wait for birds to start grooming them