If a domesticated pig was to escape into the wild, would the pig itself, become wild. If so, after how long?

Question

Also, please include a source for this if possible. Thanks.

Answer 1

yes the pig will become what they call Feral. Feral is a term of any domesticated animal that has been turned loose or escaped confinement. There are certian degrees of feralness, usually first generation feral are able to be rehablitated to become domesticated again, anthing past 2 and 3 generation they become almost impossible to rehabilitate. Feral Pigs are the leading cause of Human/Boar attacks because these animals know not to fear humans. Most are considered pests and destructive and they are desimating the natural wild population. Mostly I know of them cause I have had to dispose of them in the past as my job required. We were never allowed to foster or care for wild piglets since they are a introduced species and do not do well, once feral, in captivity. Here is a website also to help you understand.
http://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/tmot1/sus_scro.htm

Answer 2

7 year old question, I know, but thought I'd clear some of this up seeing how every single other answer is pretty much wrong. No, strictly speaking, a pig can't turn into a Wild Boar but YES it will quite possibly survive and turn feral. This includes growing larger tusks and hair- basically looking very similar to a wild boar. Pretty crazy, but true. Feral Pigs can also inter-breed with boars. A boar is the wild ancestor of the domestic pig.

Answer 3

ABSOLUTELY! this is a huge problem in the south. pigs that are being "beefed up" for pork dig their way under their boundaries and escape. they breed with the wild pigs and produce young that share traits from both. this means that it will have attitude like a wild pig but also the size (HUGE) of a domesticated livestock pig.

have you ever heard of hogzilla? this pig was allegedly 12 feet long. and it is a true story. there was a program on the discovery channel about it. purchase it if you can. i think he became fully wild in about 2 years.

here is a hogzilla link. there is a picture on the internet of him too. search for it in google images.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hogzilla

hope this helps.

Answer 4

Actually, in Texas and the Midwest, they have an epidemic of domesticated pigs escaping & breeding with wild boars. This, in turn causes diseases & it is not good for the wild boar population. They just run wild with them. They cause millions of dollars in crop damage, & other damages. If you see one contact your wildlife athorities. BUT DONT GET NEAR THEM, they are MEAN AS HECK!!!

Answer 5

Yes, all the wild pigs in the USA are descendants of escaped
domesticated pigs...
The only wild pig indigenous to North America is the
Javalina found in the Southwestern states...

Answer 6

I think if a pig had been raised from birth as a domesticated animal, it more likely would become lunch for another animal then it would to become wild.

Answer 7

It would be feral.

Anything previously domesticated that reverts to an unmanaged wild state is called feral.

Wild is truly wild.

Answer 8

Absolutely! & in very short time. Known as feral hogs, they will crossbreed with other species of wild hog such as the Russian boar -- examples of which have been killed in fair chase hunting in the Piedmont area of the Southeast US weighing in @ over 500 lbs & are very dangerous.

Answer 9

Yah, cause its free and ited wanna stay dat way don ya think. probebly after it stayed out there a while