Wild hogs, also known as feral swine or wild boars, are highly social animals that rely on a complex system of vocalizations to communicate within their group, called a sounder. These animals have an extensive vocal range, using different sounds to coordinate movement, signal contentment, express distress, or warn of danger. Understanding the pitch, frequency, and context of these noises offers a direct insight into the species’ social structure and their immediate intentions. Their sounds are fundamental for survival, helping them maintain cohesion while foraging or alerting others to threats.
The Primary Vocalizations
The most commonly heard sounds from a wild hog are the grunts, which act as a general form of contact and communication. These are low-frequency, pulsatile vocalizations, produced in distinct, repetitive bursts. Most of the acoustic energy in a grunt sits below 2 kilohertz (kHz), with the fundamental frequency typically below 100 Hertz (Hz).
In contrast, squeals represent the high-frequency end of the hog’s vocal repertoire, often containing energy that extends up to 8 kHz. While grunts are for everyday interactions, squeals are associated with excitement or distress, especially in younger piglets. Researchers have also identified an intermediate sound, the “grunt-squeal,” which acoustically bridges the gap between the two primary vocal types.
Contextual and Warning Calls
The meaning of a wild hog’s vocalization is highly dependent on its context, with pitch and intensity conveying different messages. A soft, continuous grunting is a sign of contentment, commonly heard when the hogs are foraging or nursing. A sudden, sharp bark or huff is a common alarm call, intended to alert the sounder to a perceived threat.
Aggression is often communicated through deep, guttural growls, which serve as a clear warning to rivals or predators. In a confrontational situation, hogs will produce a clicking or chomping noise by rapidly grinding their teeth, known as teeth champing. This non-vocal display acts as a psychological threat, indicating heightened agitation and a willingness to fight. A high-pitched, piercing scream is reserved for extreme distress, pain, or combat.
Sounds of Movement and Feeding
Beyond their vocalizations, the actions of wild hogs create a variety of distinct environmental noises that can indicate their presence. As they search for food, hogs engage in “rooting,” using their snout to dig and overturn soil, which produces characteristic snuffling and heavy breathing sounds. The intensity of the rooting noise often suggests the size and number of animals foraging.
Their vigorous consumption of food also generates recognizable sounds, such as noisy smacking of the lips and loud crunching noises as they chew hard nuts or roots. When a sounder moves through dense vegetation, the rustling and snapping of brush, combined with the heavy footfalls, can be surprisingly loud. These non-vocal sounds are often the first auditory confirmation that wild hogs are active nearby.