Originally Posted by
pinzgauer
Seen them as far north as Kentucky and there's a lot in the mountains of North Georgia / North Carolina. They do just fine in the cold.
Interesting thing they're doing a lot of research and basically domestic pigs revert to boar characteristics after two generations in the wild. Skull shape changes, cartilage plate thickens, etcetera.
There is always been a question or concern that Russian boars were being transplanted from N GA / NC to middle & south GA. So they started doing DNA testing and now have found that this change occurs.
They think the skull change is due to more rooting, and potentially diet.
Son and DIL work for the DNR. Few years back before they were married I got a message from my wife to be patient, as my son is bringing back 3 orphaned wild pigs and wants to keep them in the garage.
Said no to the garage, but they could get out one of the dog kennels and keep them in the barn.
These things were fascinating. Spotted like Russian boars piglets. They had immediately transferred from their dead mother to the humans. Sit down on the ground and the piglets would hang out around you for safety. If they spooked they'd scoot back to you.
Even very young you could tell the things were smart.
If they stayed that size you could make a mint selling them as pets.
My brother coined a name for them: "bacon-seeds".
These found a home with a farmer and I'm sure are living there happily ever after! (They became Ham's and bacon)