Wild hogs, also known as feral swine or feral pigs, are highly adaptable animals with a complex social structure. They rarely travel alone, instead forming a cohesive unit that aids survival and the raising of young. The collective noun used to describe a group of wild hogs is a “sounder.”
The Collective Noun
A group of wild hogs is most accurately and commonly referred to as a sounder. This term specifically describes the basic social and family unit of the species. The name “sounder” is thought to derive from the animals’ behavior of “sounding,” which involves rooting and digging for food with their snouts.
The constant low-level grunting and vocalizations the animals make while foraging may also contribute to the term’s origin. While less common, a group of wild hogs may also sometimes be referred to as a “drift” or “passel” in regional terminology.
Social Structure and Composition
A sounder is a tight-knit, matriarchal unit organized around a dominant, experienced adult female, known as a sow. This group typically consists of one or more related adult sows and their offspring from different litters, sometimes including three generations of related females. The typical size of a sounder ranges from six to 30 individuals, though group size can fluctuate based on local resources and environmental conditions.
The presence of multiple adult females provides shared protection and a stable social environment for the younger animals. Mature male hogs, or boars, are largely solitary and do not remain with the sounder throughout the year. They only join the female group briefly during the breeding season. Young males will leave the sounder shortly after reaching sexual maturity, roaming as independent individuals or in temporary bachelor groups.
Group Dynamics and Behavior
The sounder structure is a highly functional adaptation that provides numerous advantages for collective survival. Group life enhances the efficiency of foraging, as multiple animals can simultaneously root for food like tubers, roots, and insects across a wider area. This collective effort is useful since the animals are omnivores with a diverse and opportunistic diet.
Shared vigilance provides a form of mutual defense, increasing the group’s ability to detect and deter predators. Multiple adult females will share the responsibility of raising and protecting the young, a shared commitment that increases the survival rate of the piglets. The sounder often moves together, generally staying within a defined home range if resources remain abundant.
Their activity patterns are often crepuscular or nocturnal, meaning they are most active during the twilight hours and at night, especially in areas with high human disturbance or warm temperatures. The sounder’s movement is typically led by the oldest, most experienced sow, whose knowledge of the territory guides the group to preferred feeding areas and safe bedding sites.