Feral Hog

The majority of feral hogs in Missouri are mutts with genetic combinations that include Russian or Eurasian wild boar (razorbacks), an assortment of domestic varieties such as Yorkshire, Hampshire or Duroc and even pot-bellied pigs. The resulting offspring exhibit a variety of shapes and colors including gray, red, black, blond, spotted and belted. All have small eyes, large triangular ears and a long snout ending in a large, round nose. They have a thick coat of coarse, bristly hair which they can erect along their spine, lending them the common name “razorback.” Most feral hogs have longer bristles than their domestic ancestors, but shorter hair than those of purebred Russian boars. Boars develop a thick, tough layer of cartilage (sometimes called a “shield”) over the shoulders, and have four sharp tusks that grow continuously, often reaching 5 inches before they break or become worn from use. The bottom tusks are formidable weapons used for defense and to establish dominance during breeding.