Hyena vs. Wild Boar: Which Animal Would Win a Fight?

In the wild, fights are an integral part of life. Survival of the fittest is the name of the game, and in this animal battle, we’ll be showcasing a showdown between a hyena vs. wild boar. The hyena, a cunning scavenger of the African plains, boasts powerful bites and exceptional speed. At the same time, the wild boar possesses sharp tusks, impressive speed, and a fearless attitude. It’s time to delve into each species’ size, strength, and bite force to find out the outcome of an epic battle between these fierce contenders. Join us as we explore the thrilling world of the hyena and the wild boar to uncover who would win the fight.

Hyena: The Cunning Scavenger

Hyenas are cunning scavengers that come in different species like spotted, brown, striped, and aardwolf. They may look like dogs, but they’re actually more like cats. Spotted hyenas are the biggest and strongest of them all. Even though they’re much smaller than polar bears and great whites, they have a similarly powerful bite.

Each hyena species has a unique diet. The aardwolf, the smallest hyena, loves to munch on termites and larvae. But most hyenas get about 70% of their food from direct kills. They can eat antelopes, wildebeests, and even bones, plants, and animal droppings. These amazing hunters can even take down big animals like zebras and giraffes.

You can find hyenas seeking out prey in different places like woodlands, savannas, grasslands, and deserts in Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. And today, the hyena has its sights set on a big, plump, wild boar. While searching for food, hyenas must be alert for predators like leopards and lions.

Ancient Hyena’s Massive Size

A long time ago, there were hyenas called Pachycrocuta that were even bigger than today’s hyenas. These hyenas stood about 35–39 inches tall at the shoulder and weighed around 240 pounds. That’s almost as big as a lioness, making it the largest hyena ever known. They relied more on scavenging for food than hunting. These ancient hyenas lived millions of years ago but are now extinct. Smaller spotted hyenas may have contributed to their extinction as the environment changed after the Ice Age.

Wild Boar: The Fearless Fighter

Let’s talk about wild boars, also known as feral pigs or hogs. These mammals belong to the scientific name Sus scrofa. There are special names for them based on their age. For example, “Grand Old Boars” are over 7 years old, “Pigs of the Sounder” are over 2 years old, “Juveniles” are 1 to 2 years old, and “Squeakers” are newborn piglets. Wild boar piglets are sometimes called “humbugs” because of their striped coats.

No matter their age, wild boars have a big appetite, gobbling up both plants and animals. They live in all sorts of places, like forests, grasslands, and wetlands. You can find them almost everywhere except Antarctica. With their bulky bodies, long snouts, and black hooves, this pig is easy to spot. Both males and female wild boars have tusks, but the male’s tusks are bigger. After all, they don’t have the same protection from a group setting that females enjoy.

Female wild boars stick together in groups called sounders, while the guys prefer to be solo, except during mating season when they form bachelor groups. In many places, wild boars are an invasive species that’s causing a lot of harm. They cause damage to places, like destroying crops, they may get aggressive, and these pigs can carry diseases that can affect humans.

Wild boars are also sometimes called “razorbacks” because of their tough back hair that stands up when they get mad or annoyed. Today, this wild boar’s hair will be standing straight up as if facing off with a fully grown hyena.

Round 1: Size and Strength Comparison

An adult wild boar can grow up to 8 feet long from head to tail and stand about 3 feet tall. They’re hefty, too, with an average weight of 400 to 600 pounds! A wild boar shot in California broke the state record by weighing a massive 733 pounds. Some wild boars can be even bigger, with reports of exceptionally large individuals weighing over 800 pounds. That’s like having a small car on four legs! There was even a claim about a wild boar in Georgia being 12 feet long and weighing 1,000 pounds, but it turned out to be 8 feet long and around 800 pounds.

There are 16 types of wild boars, and they come in different sizes. The Ussuri boar is the biggest in Eastern China and parts of Russia. Depending on their habitat and food, they can weigh over 500 pounds, sometimes even more. Carpathian boars from Ukraine, Romania, and Hungary are also big, weighing over 300 pounds on average, and some can weigh over 800 pounds with lots of food. In Kazakhstan and Mongolia, a subspecies can weigh over 500 pounds and have a lighter coat.

Adult spotted hyenas weigh between 90 to 170 pounds and measure around 37 to 59 inches in length. When standing, their shoulder height ranges from 29½ to 33 inches. Female spotted hyenas are bigger than males. They have a robust build, and their front legs are longer than their hind legs, which gives them a slightly sloping back appearance. Their coat is sandy or light gray in color and covered in dark spots, which is why they are called “spotted” hyenas.

Round one goes to the wild boar. They’re much larger than even the biggest spotted hyena. But size isn’t everything when it comes to claiming the championship title. You also have to be fast.

Round 2: Speed and Agility Showdown

Can a wild boar outrun a hyena? It stands a chance. Hyenas, reaching speeds of 37 mph, are slightly faster than the boar’s top speed of 30 mph. But the pig’s ability to maneuver the dense forest brush could save their life. Wild boars, with their speed and elusiveness, can outrun predators, escaping into burrows or tricky terrain. But one wrong move, and it’ll be game over for the boar.

Hyenas are among the fastest land mammals, with the largest spotted hyena reaching speeds of about 37 mph. They have powerful legs, long strides, and sharp claws, making them swift runners. Hyenas use their speed and agility to chase down prey, which includes wild boars, small antelopes, and even young giraffes. Their bounding gallop and quick turns help them corner and catch their targets effectively. Although spotted hyenas are the fastest and largest of the hyena species, other types, like striped hyenas, brown hyenas, and aardwolves, are also quite speedy.

Surprisingly, wild boars are fast runners, too, reaching speeds of up to 30 mph. Despite their stocky appearance, they are remarkably nimble, maneuvering through dense forests with ease. Wild boars are also excellent jumpers and can easily leap over fences less than 3 feet high. Their big bodies and strong muscles allow them to plow through vegetation and dig for food.

Round 2 goes to the hyena, but that doesn’t mean it’ll catch the wild boar. Once a wild boar sets its mind on something, its persistence and endurance are intense. And in this situation, the boar is dead set on making an escape. Along with being fast and determined, boars are intelligent creatures. They learn from experiences and adapt their behavior to outsmart hunters and predators.

Round 3: Bite Force

Hyenas have one of the strongest bites in the animal kingdom. The spotted hyena, the largest of the hyena species, boasts an impressive bite force of 1,100 PSI, even stronger than a lion’s bite. Despite their smaller size compared to some other animals, hyenas’ bite force can be compared to that of bears and sharks. Their jaws are incredibly powerful, allowing them to crush bones and tear through tough prey. This biting strength is essential for their hunting style, which involves taking down large animals and scavenging for food.

Wild boars are intelligent creatures armed with razor-sharp tusks and strong jaws. Although their exact bite force isn’t on record, it’s likely similar to that of medium to large-sized dogs. Instead of relying on their bite force, boars use their strength and tusks. Wild boars’ tusks are dangerous weapons that they use for digging up food, defending against predators, and even battling other boars during the mating season. When threatened, wild boars can also unleash a charging attack with their sharp tusks, gashing and slicing their opponent open. Their aggression and size make them even more of a danger.

Round three goes to the hyena. Based on biteforce alone, the hyena is the more dangerous opponent. The hyena’s powerful bite, capable of crushing bones, gives it an advantage in taking down larger prey, like wild boars.

Do Wild Boars Fight Hyenas?

Wild boars aren’t the type to pick a fight with hyenas, but they know how to stand their ground! They’re no scaredy-cats and face potential dangers with a fearless attitude. Unlike some other wildlife, wild boars don’t even bother checking for danger before heading straight to a waterhole for a drink.

These chunky warriors don’t scare easily and are actually great at scaring off predators themselves. They walk around like they own the place, and that attitude even works on big predators. If a wild boar locks eyes with a lion on the prowl, she might think twice about messing with it. If a wild boar charges at the hyena, it might fend off or even injure its attacker.

Do Hyenas Eat Wild Boar?

Yes, hyenas absolutely love eating wild boars. In Nepal, scientists studied hyena poop (scat) to understand their diet and discovered that medium-sized wild boars were their favorite food. To catch these boars, hyenas rely on their sharp eyes, keen ears, and strong sense of smell to track them down before having a live feast. For smaller prey, like wild boars, hyenas violently shake their head until they kill it. For larger prey, hyenas begin eating the animal while it’s still alive.

Final Verdict: Who Wins?

In the thrilling showdown of the animal kingdom, the hyena takes the crown! Renowned for their remarkable speed, strength, and fatal biting power, hyenas dominate the battlefield. On the opposing side, wild boars showcase their intelligence, agility, and bravery, making them worthy opponents to any predator. Yet, even with their impressive defenses, the boar faces an uphill battle for survival. When hyenas set their sights on wild boars, they stop at nothing to feast on their prized catch. The wild boar’s best chance of surviving is to make an escape.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Mlschach and Martin Mecnarowski/Shutterstock.com