Wild boar (Sus scrofa)

Nowadays the wild boar is a fairly common animal in southern and middle Sweden. Omnivorous. Above all it eats plant parts like roots and tubers, but also small rodents, insects, worms and carrion are part of the diet.

Order: Even-toed ungulates (Artiodactyla)

Family: Pigs (Svidae)

Life span: Usually up to 8 years (but up to 20 years may be possible)

Exterior: Sturdy with a big head and short legs. The fur is dark greyish brown and coarse. The winter fur is thick and long-haired. The summer coat looks like "one-week-old stubble". The canine teeth of the males grow continuously and form dangerous tusks that are bent upwards. They can run at 50 kilometres/hour (ca 30 miles/h).

Gestation period: Four months (115 days)

Mating takes place in September-October. The sows give birth to 3-8 piglets, whose colour is lighter brown with horizontal dark stripes. They stay with the sow until she is going to have a new litter.