In addition to habitat destruction and alteration, hogs can destroy forestry plantings and damage trees. Mortality in feral hog populations is greatest in the young less than 3 months of age, mainly due to accident, starvation and predation. Adult mortality is largely due to hunting, parasites, disease and tooth deterioration. Predation by mountain lions, coyotes and bobcats are only minor limiting factors. Description Feral hogs may appear basically the same as domestic hogs and will vary in color and coat pattern.
Males are generally larger than females.
Their body is covered with long stiff hairs, long side-whiskers, a longer straighter tail, and a nape on the neck giving the European hog a razorback, sloped appearance. Additionally, the hairs of European hogs have multiple split ends. The young are born a reddish color with black longitudinal stripes. As they mature, the coat color becomes predominantly dark brown or black. The crossing of European and feral hogs often produces an offspring with some European characteristics.