Indonesian wild boar
The Banded pig (Sus scrofa vittatus) is a subspecies of Wild boar found in Southeast Asia. It is known as the Wild boar in Singapore.
The Banded pig is a short-faced subspecies with a white band on the muzzle, as well as sparse body hair and no underwool. It has a fairly long mane, and a broad reddish band extending from the muzzle to the sides of the neck.
Banded pigs are found on the Thai-Malay Peninsula and many Indonesian islands, including Sumatra, and Java. They have been introduced to the Lesser Sundas in ancient times. Banded pigs prefer to live in areas with a constant source of water and dense vegetative cover. Their habitat includes woodland, swamplands, flooded areas, grassy savannas, shrubland, and agricultural land.
Little is known about the behavior of Banded pigs. In general, Wild boars are active during the night spending their time in search of food. Females of this species exhibit social behavior, forming so-called "sounders" - loosely organized groups of 6-30 individuals. Each of these units is composed of breeding females and their offspring. Two or more groups may occasionally share the same area without mixing with each other. Male Wild boars tend to lead solitary life during most of the year. They socialize only in the reproductive season, during which they frequently occur near sounders as well as territories of other breeding males. The communication system of these animals includes vocalizations such as growls, which express aggression. They also use squealing calls, typically when excited or to display a friendly attitude.
Generally, Wild boars are omnivores. However, in some areas, this subspecies differs from most other boar populations by being highly frugivorous, eating around 50 different fruit species, especially figs. On the islands of Komodo and Rinca, its diet is more varied and includes roots, tubers, grasses, insects, fruits, snakes, and carrion. Banded pigs also frequently eat crabs during low tide.
Female banded pigs give birth to their young between December and March. Litters usually consist of 2 to 6 piglets which are raised in grass nests constructed by their mother.
The population of Wild boars as a whole is not currently facing any serious threats. However, various localized concerns negatively affect populations of this species. In many parts of their range, these mammals heavily suffer from the destruction of their natural habitat. They are also threatened by large-scale hunting for consumption, sport, and pests (especially near human settlements). And finally, these animals are exposed to different contagious diseases, resulting in high numbers of mortality.
Presently, the Banded pig is not included in the IUCN Red List and its conservation status has not been evaluated.
Banded pigs eat a wide variety of fruits in some areas of their range and play an important role as seed dispersers in those areas.
