scrofa

Scrofa is the Latin word meaning "boar" and is used in zoological nomenclature as the specific epithet in the scientific name of the wild boar, Sus scrofa. The domestic pig is commonly classified as Sus scrofa domesticus, reflecting its status as a subspecies of Sus scrofa; some taxonomic authorities treat the pig as a separate species or use alternative subspecies names.

Scrofa, the wild boar, is native to Eurasia and parts of North Africa and has been introduced to many other regions. It thrives in a variety of habitats, including mixed forests, grasslands, and agricultural landscapes. It is an opportunistic omnivore, feeding on plant material, small vertebrates, invertebrates, carrion, and agricultural crops, and it often forages at night or at dawn and dusk.

Social groups are typically sounders composed of females and their offspring; adult males are more solitary outside the mating season. Reproduction is common in late winter to spring in temperate zones, though it varies by location. Gestation lasts about 112-120 days, with litters of 4-8 (sometimes up to 12) piglets. Adults reach functional maturity within a year or less; tusks develop in males and are used in combat.

Humans interact with scrofa in several ways. Wild boars are hunted for meat and sport, and they can become agricultural pests by damaging crops and pastures. They are reservoirs for several diseases affecting livestock and humans, prompting disease-control and biosecurity measures. Domestication of the wild boar gave rise to the domestic pig, one of the most widely kept livestock species.