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Feral pig
- Feral pig (Sus scrofa)
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- Feral pigs can damage sugarcane, wheat, banana and strawberry crops
General information
The feral pig (Sus scrofa) is one of the most widespread and damaging pest animals in Queensland. Feral pigs in Australia are descendants of various subspecies of the domestic pig. Accidental and deliberate releases of domestic and semi-feral pigs have resulted in a large feral pig population.
The feral pig is a declared Class 2 pest animal under Queensland legislation. It is the responsibility of landholders to control feral pigs on their land.
| Scientific name |
Sus scrofa |
| Impacts |
The feral pig can:
- damage almost all crops from sowing to harvest
- feed on seed, grain, fruit and vegetable crops
- prey on lambs
- damage pastures by grazing and rooting
- spread weeds
- carry many diseases and parasites.
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| Description |
- is smaller, leaner and more muscular than domestic pigs with well developed shoulders and necks, and smaller, shorter hindquarters
- has sparse, coarse hair
- has a longer, larger snout and tusks; straighter tail; smaller, mostly pricked ears; and much narrower back than domestic pigs
- is mostly black, buff-coloured or spotted black and white
- is generally shy and nocturnal
Juveniles may be striped, while old boars (razorbacks) have massive heads and shoulders, and a raised, prominent backbone. |
| Habitat and life cycle |
- inhabits about 40% of Australia from subalpine grasslands to monsoonal floodplains
- is found in all areas of Queensland
- has greatest concentrations on the larger drainage basins, and swamp areas of the coast and inland
- females and juveniles usually live in small family groups
- adult males are typically solitary
- can produce two litters of 4-10 piglets a year in good conditions
- is weaned after 2-3 months
- population, in good conditions, may increase fivefold in 12 months.
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| Control |
- is difficult to control in some situations
- various control methods including shooting, poisoning, trapping and fencing with land management practices are most effective
- see the control of feral pigs fact sheet for further information
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| Declaration details |
- is a declared Class 2 species under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002
- landholders are required to control its numbers on their land
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| Further information |
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Page maintained by Sonia Jordan
Last updated 10 November 2010
