Wild pigs go by several names, and the right one depends on whether you mean a particular species, a free-living domestic pig, or just a familiar regional term. This guide explains ten names used for wild pigs around the world, including the everyday answer—wild boar—and the distinctions that matter to readers, travelers, wildlife watchers, and anyone trying to identify an animal accurately.
1. Wild pig
“Wild pig” is a broad, plain-language label for a pig living in the wild, rather than the name of one single species. It can refer to Eurasian wild boar, domestic pigs that have become feral, or other wild members of the pig family, depending on the context. The phrase is useful when the exact species or ancestry is unknown, as in a general wildlife report or a conversation about animals rooting in a landscape. For precision, pair it with a place or species name, because a wild pig in Europe may be a different kind of animal from one in Southeast Asia.
2. Wild boar
“Wild boar” is probably the best-known common name for a wild pig, especially when people are referring to the Eurasian species, Sus scrofa. These animals are native across much of Europe and Asia, and populations have also been introduced in other regions. In everyday speech, “boar” can mean a wild pig generally, but zoologically it also means an adult male pig, so context matters. The name is worth knowing because it is widely used in books, wildlife reporting, and travel accounts, even when the animal’s exact population or ancestry is not specified.
3. Feral pig
A feral pig is a domestic pig, or a descendant of domestic pigs, living independently in the wild. Feral populations may look and behave much like wild boar, and some populations have mixed ancestry, so appearance alone does not always reveal their history. “Feral pig” is a particularly useful term in ecological and agricultural contexts because it describes how the animal lives rather than naming a separate wild species. It also avoids implying that every pig found in the wild is native wildlife; in many places, feral pigs originated from escaped or released domestic animals.
4. Feral hog
“Feral hog” is a common North American name for free-living pigs, especially in the United States. It usually refers to the same general category as “feral pig,” and may describe animals descended from domestic stock, Eurasian wild boar, or crosses among them. The word “hog” is common in American English and often appears in news coverage, land-management discussions, and hunting contexts. If a source uses “feral hog,” it does not necessarily mean the animal belongs to a distinct species; the term is usually about its feral status and regional usage.
5. Razorback
“Razorback” is an informal regional name, particularly associated with feral hogs in the southern United States. It refers to the animals’ often bristly backs and sometimes to a lean, rangy appearance, but it is not a scientifically defined species, breed, or reliable identification category. Wild and feral pigs vary greatly in coat, body shape, and size, so the nickname does not guarantee that a pig will have one distinctive appearance. The term is worth recognizing in local conversation and writing, while “feral pig” or “feral hog” is clearer when accuracy is important.
6. Russian boar
In North American hunting and wildlife usage, “Russian boar” is a name often applied to Eurasian-type wild boar or pigs with some Eurasian wild-boar ancestry. It is not a precise taxonomic label, and it does not establish that an individual animal came from Russia; the term may be used loosely for animals with European or Eurasian ancestry, including hybrids. This distinction matters because North American feral populations can have varied origins, and labels used by hunters do not always match scientific classifications. Treat “Russian boar” as a regional or heritage description unless a reliable source provides more specific information.
7. Bushpig
The bushpig, Potamochoerus larvatus, is a wild pig species found in sub-Saharan Africa. It uses a range of habitats, including woodland, forest edges, and areas near water, and it generally forages for plant material and other available foods. Bushpigs are distinct from Eurasian wild boar, even though both are members of the pig family and may be described broadly as wild pigs. The name is useful for African wildlife identification, where simply saying “wild boar” could give readers the wrong idea about which animal they might encounter.
8. Red river hog
The red river hog, Potamochoerus porcus, is a striking African wild pig associated mainly with forests and wet habitats in western and central Africa. Its reddish coat, pale facial markings, and long tufts of hair on the ears make it more visually distinctive than many people expect from the general phrase “wild pig.” It is a different species from the bushpig, despite belonging to the same genus. When you see the name in a zoo guide or natural-history reference, it identifies this particular species rather than serving as another generic synonym for a feral pig.
9. Bearded pig
The bearded pig, Sus barbatus, is a wild pig native to parts of Southeast Asia, including Borneo, Sumatra, and the Malay Peninsula. Its common name points to the conspicuous bristles around its muzzle and cheeks, which give the face a bearded appearance. Bearded pigs can travel through forest landscapes and are known for seasonal movements in some areas, but their behavior and local conditions vary across their range. The name is worth distinguishing from “wild boar”: both are suids, but they are not simply two labels for the same animal.
10. Visayan warty pig
The Visayan warty pig, Sus cebifrons, is a wild pig native to the Visayan Islands of the Philippines. It is known for facial warts and, in males, a prominent mane that can form a crest along the head and back. This species is a more specific answer than “wild pig,” because its name identifies both a particular animal and its island region. It is also a reminder that the world’s wild pigs are diverse: common names such as “boar” and “feral hog” do not cover every species or convey where it naturally occurs.
How to Choose
If you need one everyday answer to “What is a common name for a wild pig?”, use “wild boar.” It is familiar and widely understood, particularly for Eurasian wild pigs, but it can be less exact when the animal is actually a feral domestic pig or a different wild-pig species. “Wild pig” is the safest broad term when you do not know the animal’s identity, while “feral pig” or “feral hog” is more informative when you mean a domestic-derived animal living wild.
For a specific animal, check its location and the source of the name. A wildlife guide, scientific account, or conservation organization is more likely to identify species such as the red river hog or Visayan warty pig accurately; casual regional terms such as “razorback” and “Russian boar” can be imprecise. Also consider the purpose of your writing: “boar” may refer to an adult male in technical contexts, while in ordinary conversation it often refers to the animal more broadly. When certainty is limited, use “wild pig” and describe where it was seen rather than presenting a guess as a species identification.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common name for a wild pig?
“Wild boar” is a familiar common name, particularly for Eurasian wild pigs. “Wild pig” is a broader label that can include several species and feral populations.
Are wild boars and feral pigs the same thing?
Not necessarily. Eurasian wild boar are a wild form of Sus scrofa, while “feral pig” describes domestic pigs or their descendants living wild; some populations have mixed ancestry.
Is a hog different from a pig?
In common English, “hog” and “pig” can overlap, and usage varies by region. “Feral hog” is a particularly familiar American term for a free-living pig.
Is “razorback” a species of wild pig?
No. It is an informal regional nickname, often used for feral hogs in the southern United States, rather than a formal species or breed name.
Does “boar” always mean a male pig?
Technically, a boar is an adult male pig. In ordinary speech, “wild boar” is also commonly used as the name for the animal or species more generally.
Final Thoughts
“Wild boar” is the familiar short answer, but “wild pig” is often the more inclusive one. Use “feral pig” or “feral hog” for domestic-derived animals living wild, and choose a species name when the identity is known. A little context makes these overlapping names much easier to understand.