Selected Biometric Characteristics of Wild Boar (Sus Scrofa Ferus) in North-East Romania
Abstract
Our study analyzed selected biometric characteristics from 117 wild boars (Sus scrofa ferus) harvested during 2008 – 2014 in the Frasin and Marginea Forest hunting ground districts of Suceava County. Hunted boars were measured individually for head-body length (cm), height at withers (cm), length of metatarsus (cm), ear length (cm), tail length (cm) and body weight (kg) in accordance with their age-class and gender. These characteristics give information on the growth and development of wild boars and on the quality of their habitat. It was found that the average carcass weight was: piglets – 28.4 kg, yearling – 78.1 kg, subadults – 102.9 kg. The results show a faster body growth in females during their first year, while males make up for the weight difference in their 2nd and 3rd year. Statistical differences shown that males differentiate significantly to females by weight, body length, height at withers and length of metatarsus (P < 0.05) starting with their second year of life. The results regarding growth dynamic go along with the changes in boar’s social life, when the males are forced to leave and form smaller groups.
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