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Thread: Reproduction

  1. #1

    Reproduction

    Reproduction Breeding interval Females give birth to one to several litters in a year, depending on the region. Breeding season Breeding season is dependent on regional climate. Number of offspring 1 to 12; avg. 6 Gestation period 100 to 140 days; avg. 115 days Birth Mass 960 g (average) (33.79 oz) [External Source: AnAge] Time to weaning 3 to 4 months Time to independence 7 months (average) Age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female) 18 months (high); avg. 9 months Age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male) 60 months (high); avg. 9 months Mating season is a violent time, as males often fight for access to females. Male Sus scrofa are able to continuously sharpen their tusks by rubbing the lower ones against the upper ones. The tusks are used as weapons most frequently during mating season. Sus scrofa individuals develop thick tissue around the front of the belly to help protect against stab wounds from tusks. The most aggressive males have been known to secure as many as eight sows during a single mating season. Mating systems: polygynous . In temperate regions females give birth to one litter in the spring. In tropical regions breeding occurs year-round but is often concentrated during moist seasons. Females have an estrous of about 21 days and are receptive for 3 days. Young are born after a gestation period of about 115 days (range 100 to 140). Mothers give birth to litters of from 1 to 12 young, generally between 4 and 8. Although sexual maturity can be reached between 8 and 10 months of age, females generally don't breed until 18 months old and males do not generally reach the size necessary to compete for females until 5 years old. Female Sus scrofa give birth to their young in a nest constructed of grass. The young remain in the nest for some time after birth. Females are extremely protective of their young. Despite these protective measures, on average only half of a litter will survive to maturity, many fall prey to predators and disease. Young are nursed for 3 to 4 months and generally become independent before the next litter is born (up to 1 year).

  2. #2
    Feral pigs, similar to people, can mate any time of the year. If a sow is not bred during the two or three days she is in estrus (in heat), she will become sexually receptive again 21 days later. Generally pigs mate during two peak breeding seasons: one in winter (December through February) and another in early summer. When a sow is in heat, boars gather and fight for dominance slashing their sharp tusks at a rival's shoulders. Boars travel between family groups in search of receptive sows. The dominant male mates first. The less dominant males slip in and mate after the dominant boar is finished breeding. Sexual maturity and reproductive ability of feral pigs greatly depend upon nutrition and habitat. Under optimal conditions, sows can begin breeding at 6 months of age, and produce up to 4 litters per year with each litter consisting of 4 to 12 piglets. In northern portions of their range, biologists report that reproductively active sows generally only produce 2 litters per year consisting of 4-8 piglets. After about a 115 day gestation period, sows give birth to piglets that weigh from one to two pounds at birth. The little ones have pale stripes running the length of their body until they are six weeks old. After one week of suckling, the piglets are able to follow their mother around. The young grow rapidly and are weaned in about three months. The offspring disperse after a year with their mother and are usually sexually mature by a year and a half. The young reach adult stature within three years and are fully-grown in five to six years.

  3. #3
    Some of those figures are somewhat off. In general all hogs reach maturity at 6 months. Gestation period is 3 months 3 week and 3 days.

  4. #4
    Yeah, there is no breeding "season" for hogs in Texas. As far as the thick tissue, I take it that you are referring to the shield that is most predominant in males. It does not grow on the front or belly, however. It primarily grows over the shoulders and along the upper sides of the ribs (back). The only tusk thrusts it protects against are the high lateral thrusts. It does not protect against the more common upward thrusts than tend to cut up the tissue around the lower neck in front and chest located down around the elbow. http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...45&tx=85&ty=88

  5. #5
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