CROATIAN FAUNA - BOAR

BOAR (Sus scrofa L.) Wild boar (Sus scrofa L.) belongs to the order of artiodactyla (even toed ungulates), suborder non-ruminants and the family of pigs. It is systematised as big hairy game. It is widespread in Europe, except in Scandinavia and England, and also in North Africa and central Asia. It dwells in woods, in areas abundantly covered with vegetation where it finds piece and shelter. It prefers lowland flood forests but is found in all habitats reaching also to the Adriatic islands. It is about 100 cm tall, of the length of up to 200 cm and with tail up to 40 cm. The male (boar) can weigh up to 300 kg, and females up to 150 kg. Its hair is dark grey, in summer of somewhat lighter colour and in winter almost black. On the back the boar has long hair – bristles. The young are of yellowish-chestnut colour with two longitudinal dark lines. It has got in total 44 teeth, with prominent canines which in boar are called tusks and in sow are smaller. The tusks are boar's main weapons in their fight between each other and they are also a hunter's trophy. In lower jaw they are called cutters and in upper law whetters. Wild boar is omnivore eating wide range of foods. It eats above and below ground parts of plants and especially enjoys acorn, mast and chestnut. It causes significant damage in agriculture. From animal food it consumes tiny rodents, worms, amphibians, fish, eggs and the chicks of birds which nest on the ground. It is sexually mature after 9 months and mates already in its first year of life. Mating takes place in autumn and at the beginning of winter and pregnancy lasts about 115 days. The sow gives birth to 4 – 12 pups. The family is composed of the boar, sow and piglets (up to 1 year of age) and older piglets - up to their second year). Mature boars are lone animals. The boars often fight between themselves at mating time. The sows, piglets and older piglets live in herds. Wild boar is endangered by swine fever, floods, high snow and ice. Its greatest natural enemy is wolf. Their number in Croatia is estimated at about 30.000 animals. Marijan Grubešić