Food habits and nutritional condition of Japanese wild boar in Iwami district, Shimane Prefecture, western Japan

Abstract

To analyze food habits, nutritional condition and these relationships of Japanese wild boar (Sus scrofa leucomystax), 260 stomach contents were collected between September 1994 and April 1995 in Iwami district, Shimane Prefecture, western Japan. They were analyzed using point frame methods (Leader-Williams et al. 1981). Dicotyledons was the most abundant food item in September and October (36.7%, 35.9% volumes respectively), however acorn became the principal food in October and November (26.3%, 25.3%). Root and tuber were the most preferred food between December and April (43.2-62.2%). Percentages of crude protein of stomach content were between 7.8% and 18.2%, which were beyond the optimal level specified for swine (National Research Council 1979) except February. Percentages of crude fat was 9.0% in September, increased to 17.7% in October, and then gradually decreased to 5.3% in February. Kidney fat index was also low in September (22.6%), increased to 48.2% in November, and then decreased to 25.3% in April. Acorn availability was thought to influence the nutritional condition of wild boars.