Marcassin

Marcassin is the French word for wild boar young. It specifically refers to a wild boar that is less than a year old, characterized by its reddish-brown coat marked with distinct yellowish longitudinal stripes. These stripes are a key identifying feature of young wild boars and are present until they are several months old, typically around six to eight months. As the marcassin matures, its coat gradually darkens and the stripes fade, eventually giving way to the uniform dark coloration of an adult wild boar, known in French as a "sanglier."

The term marcassin is commonly used in hunting contexts and in culinary descriptions where the meat of young wild boar is a delicacy. The meat is known for its tender texture and less gamey flavor compared to older animals. In many European countries, hunting regulations specify age limits for taking wild boar, and the term marcassin is important for differentiating between juvenile and adult animals. The stripes are an adaptation that provides camouflage for young boars in their forest habitat, helping them to avoid predators until they are large and strong enough to defend themselves. The presence and eventual disappearance of these stripes are natural developmental stages for the species Sus scrofa.