Home / Mammals / Hoofed farm and wild mammals / Wild boar

No federal permit to keep

Wild boar

Sus scrofa

Also known as Eurasian Wild Pig, European Wild Pig, Ryukyu Islands Wild Pig, eurasian wild boar

Mammals › Hoofed farm and wild mammals (Artiodactyla) › Suidae (Pigs and hogs)

The wild boar (Sus scrofa), also known as the wild swine, common wild pig, Eurasian wild pig, or simply wild pig, is a suid native to much of Eurasia and North Africa and has been introduced to the Americas and Oceania.

Zoos & aquariums

Experience: Intermediate

FamilyPigs and hogs

Record lifespan27 years

Adult weight292 lb

Kept byZoos & aquariums

Care at a glance

Species-specific values

Values researched for this exact species. Where they differ from the group guide below, follow these. Air, surface and water temperatures are listed separately, and each source is kept as published rather than averaged.

Adult air temperature	65–75 °F (18.3–23.9 °C) Domestic miniature pet pigs, not wild boar or every suid.	141
Neonatal environment temperature	about: 90 °F (32 °C) Domestic miniature pig newborn environment; not a basking-surface temperature.	141
Heat stress air temperature threshold	greater than: 85 °F (29.4 °C) Domestic miniature pigs; humidity and exposure affect risk.	141
Adult body mass	45.5–68.2 kg Common miniature pet-pig range; some are larger, and smaller lines exist.	301
Typical captive lifespan	10–15 years Domestic miniature pet pigs.	301
Reported captive lifespan range	8–20 years Domestic miniature pet pigs; distinct from the typical range.	301

Warnings

Mostly kept by zoos, public aquariums, sanctuaries or licensed facilities. The guide below describes professional husbandry so you can understand the animal, not as encouragement to keep one privately.

Care guide

Group care guide

Pigs, hogs and peccaries

Applies to most species in this group. Habitat: Forest and farmland. Individual species can differ, so compare with the species numbers above and the linked sources.

Housing & setup

Provide secure fencing, rooting space, shelter and cooling in hot weather. Domestic pigs have few functional sweat glands and are vulnerable to heat stress.
Miniature pet pigs commonly reach 45.5–68.2 kg and can be larger; full size may take 2–3 years. A teacup label does not guarantee adult size.

Sources 141 142 301

Diet

Pig pellets formulated for the life stage plus vegetables; avoid obesity.

Sources 141 142 301

Health watch

Obesity, hoof overgrowth and skin problems; check local zoning for pet pigs.

Sources 141 142 301

Understanding the animal

About this animal

The species is now one of the widest-ranging mammals in the world as well as the most widespread suiform. It has been assessed as least concern on the IUCN Red List due to its wide range, high numbers, and adaptability to a diversity of habitats.

Quoted from the Wikipedia article “Wild boar” (CC BY-SA 4.0) 174

In the wild

Quoted from the matching sections of reputable sources for this exact species. Specialist databases are used first; Wikipedia (community-edited, CC BY-SA 4.0) only fills gaps. Other sources are short credited quotes.

Overview	The wild boar (Sus scrofa), also known as the wild swine, common wild pig, Eurasian wild pig, or simply wild pig, is a suid native to much of Eurasia and North Africa and has been introduced to the Americas and Oceania. The species is now one of the widest-ranging mammals in the world as well as the most widespread suiform. It has been assessed as least concern on the IUCN Red List due to its wide range, high numbers, and adaptability to a diversity of habitats. It has become an invasive species in part of its introduced range. — Wikipedia (community-edited)
Where it lives	Given their wide distribution, wild boars can be found in a variety of habitats. — Animal Diversity Web
Behavior	Female wild boars are social animals that tend to live in groups. — Animal Diversity Web
Reproduction	Wild boars tend to live in large groups called sounders that are made up of 6 to 20 closely-related females, but may contain over 100 individuals. — Animal Diversity Web
Lifespan	The maximum known lifespan of a wild boar in their natural habitat is 9 to 10 years. — Animal Diversity Web
Appearance and size	Wild boars range from 153 to 240 cm in total length and weigh 66 to 272 kg as adults. — Animal Diversity Web
History and naming	MtDNA studies indicate that the wild boar originated from islands in Southeast Asia such as Indonesia and the Philippines, and subsequently spread onto mainland Eurasia and North Africa. The earliest fossil finds of the species come from both Europe and Asia, and date back to the Early Pleistocene. — Wikipedia (community-edited)

Native climate (measured)

Warm-season highs	about 81°F (up to 95°F in the hottest sampled areas)
Cool-season lows	about 32°F (down to 13°F in the coldest sampled areas)
Average temperature	41–77°F across sampled records
Relative humidity	66–78% on average (driest month about 64%)
Rainfall	about 775 mm a year, spread fairly evenly
Winters	Cool to cold winters (lows around 32°F) in much of its native range. Seasonal slowdown may be relevant, but species-specific biology determines whether brumation or hibernation occurs.

Measured at 2149 wild occurrence records sampled against WorldClim 2.1 climate data (1970–2000 averages). Air conditions in the range are ecological context, not enclosure settings: microhabitats such as burrows, leaf litter or basking rocks can be cooler, warmer or more humid.

Profile

Researched for this exact species. Sources are listed under In the wild above.

History

MtDNA studies indicate that the wild boar originated from islands in Southeast Asia such as Indonesia and the Philippines, and subsequently spread onto mainland Eurasia and North Africa. The earliest fossil finds of the species come from both Europe and Asia, and date back to the Early Pleistocene.

Data and studies

Researched care notes

Findings checked against veterinary, zoo, welfare, keeper and peer-reviewed sources. Air, basking-surface and water temperatures are kept separate, and where sources disagree both are shown. “Study” notes report what a paper measured, not a universal rule.

Miniature Pig

Use a balanced miniature-pig ration appropriate to life stage, rationed by body weight and condition rather than offered without limit.¹
Maintain continuous drinking-water access; water deprivation can contribute to salt toxicosis.¹
Deliver measured meals through safe foraging activities or rooting boxes to support exploratory behavior without adding extra calories.¹
Provide shade and effective cooling in warm weather, while keeping drinking water available independently of wallowing facilities.²
Provide daily opportunities for exercise and rooting; lack of outlets for these behaviors can contribute to destructive behavior.²
'Teacup' has no strict size definition; miniature pigs commonly reach 45.5–68.2 kg or more, and young breeding parents may not yet show their final size.³

The numbers

Each bar is what one source reports. Where several sources weigh in, the dashed gold band marks their average.

Maximum recorded lifespan

Highest reported27years

AnAge 16227

Myhrvold et al. 16327

Longest recorded lifespan reported by each database; typical lifespans are usually shorter. The AnAge record comes from an animal in human care.

Typical adult weight

Average of sources292lb

AnAge 162287

Myhrvold et al. 163298

Average adult body mass in each database (FishBase gives the maximum recorded weight).

Litter size

Average of sources6.3young

AnAge 1627

Myhrvold et al. 1635.6

Average per litter or clutch.

Gestation

Average of sources115days

AnAge 162115

Myhrvold et al. 163115

Female maturity

Average of sources11months

AnAge 16211

Myhrvold et al. 16311

Veterinary & husbandry research

Progress on lncRNA regulated disease resistance traits in domesticated animals Yang JY et al., Yi chuan = Hereditas 2021
Insights into early pig domestication provided by ancient DNA analysis Caliebe A et al., Scientific reports 2017
Controlling of CSFV in European wild boar using oral vaccination: a review Rossi S et al., Frontiers in microbiology 2015
Wild boar and infectious diseases: evaluation of the current risk to human and domestic animal health in Switzerland: A review Meier R et al., Schweizer Archiv fur Tierheilkunde 2018

Peer-reviewed papers that mention this species alongside captivity, zoos, veterinary care or aquaculture. Some cover several species or mention it only in passing, so check the abstract. See all 207 on PubMed → 170

Federal legal snapshot

No federal permit to keep

USDA Animal Welfare Act. Keeping a pet for yourself doesn't need a federal license. Dealers (including many breeders who sell wholesale or sight-unseen) and exhibitors (including encounters and paid programs) generally need a USDA license and inspections; some small-scale breeders and retail sellers are exempt. 184

State law decides most of it. Each state sets its own permits and bans for exotic, native, venomous and dangerous animals, and cities and counties can be stricter. Find your state agency →

Animal Welfare Act: farm animals

Livestock and poultry used for food, fiber or farm purposes are exempt. The same species are covered under Subpart F (or G for birds) when used for exhibition, such as petting zoos and animal encounters.

Kept in captivity?

Every species on this site needs evidence that people actually keep it. For this one:

AnAge has a longevity record from an animal in captivity
8881 iNaturalist observations of captive animals

Sources for this sheet

AnAge: The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database (Human Ageing Genomic Resources) Peer-reviewed researchCurated, referenced longevity and life-history records for thousands of species; maximum lifespans are often from zoo animals.
Myhrvold et al. (2015). An amniote life-history database. Ecology 96: 3109 Peer-reviewed researchPeer-reviewed compilation of life-history data for over 21,000 birds, mammals and reptiles.
9 CFR 2.1: Animal Welfare Act licensing (USDA) Zoo, university or veterinaryWho needs a USDA license to breed, sell or exhibit animals.
Merck Veterinary Manual: Management of miniature pet pigs Zoo, university or veterinaryThe Merck Veterinary Manual: a standard veterinary reference written and reviewed by veterinary specialists.
Merck Veterinary Manual: Nutrition: pigs Zoo, university or veterinaryThe Merck Veterinary Manual: a standard veterinary reference written and reviewed by veterinary specialists.
MSD Veterinary Manual — Overview of Miniature Pet Pigs Zoo, university or veterinaryAdded in the 2026 source-checked care-guide review.
Wikipedia (species article) Community referenceFree encyclopedia; useful overviews with their own citations. Intro text is quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0.
PubMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine) Peer-reviewed researchIndex of peer-reviewed veterinary, zoo and husbandry research.
iNaturalist (captive observations) Community referenceCommunity observation platform run by the California Academy of Sciences and National Geographic; observations marked captive show animals living in homes, zoos and aquariums.