Pigs, both wild and domestic, possess physical attributes and behavioral patterns that, under certain circumstances, can pose a serious threat to humans. While incidents of pigs killing people are rare, they do occur. Understanding the capabilities of these animals and the factors that can provoke aggression is important for ensuring safety.
Understanding Pig Capabilities
Pigs are powerful animals, capable of inflicting significant harm. Their muscular build allows them to weigh hundreds of pounds, with wild boars sometimes exceeding 400 pounds and certain hybrids reaching over 600 pounds. This substantial body mass contributes to their immense strength, capable of breaking human femur bones.
Pigs also possess considerable speed. Domestic pigs can run between 7 to 11 miles per hour, while wild boars are significantly faster, capable of short bursts up to 30 miles per hour. Their powerful jaws can exert a bite force of 200-300 pounds per square inch (PSI) in domestic pigs, with wild boars reaching 500-1000 PSI. Male wild boars, known as boars, are equipped with continuously sharpened tusks that can cause deep lacerations and punctures.
Factors Triggering Aggression
Pig aggression is typically a defensive or instinctual response. One of the most common triggers is a sow defending her piglets. Adult boars can exhibit strong territorial instincts, charging at perceived intruders to defend their space.
Pigs may also become aggressive if they feel threatened, cornered, or startled. This includes situations where they are chased, struck, or surprised by a sudden encounter. Wounded pigs are especially dangerous, often lashing out due to pain and fear. Competition over resources like food, water, or comfortable resting areas can also lead to conflict, as can dominance challenges within a herd.
Safety and Prevention
Recognizing pig body language is a key safety measure. Warning signs of aggression can include a pig standing very still with its head low, snapping in the air, or swinging its head sideways. Lunging, nipping, head swiping, and teeth chomping also indicate a pig might be preparing to attack.
Maintaining a safe distance and backing away slowly is advisable if encountering a pig, especially in the wild. Avoid startling them and never feed wild pigs, as this can habituate them to humans and lead to a loss of natural fear. If a pig charges, climbing a sturdy tree or an elevated structure at least 6 feet high can provide safety, as pigs cannot climb. If an attack is unavoidable, fighting back with any available means and attempting to remain on your feet can increase chances of survival, as most boar attacks are short.
Wild Boars vs. Domestic Pigs
The risks associated with wild boars differ significantly from those of domestic pigs. Wild boars are generally more dangerous due to their unpredictable nature, larger size, and prominent, sharp tusks. They are not accustomed to human presence and are more likely to react aggressively if they feel threatened or cornered. Fatal attacks on humans are overwhelmingly attributed to wild pigs, with an average of 8.6 human deaths annually worldwide between 2000 and 2019.
Domestic pigs, while capable of causing harm, are typically less aggressive than their wild counterparts. However, they can still bite and inflict severe injuries, especially if they are disturbed, neglected, abused, or feel cornered. Domestic pigs that escape and live in the wild can revert to feral behaviors, developing traits similar to wild boars, including increased aggression and the growth of tusks, making them equally dangerous.