Can Wild Boars Be White? All About the Rare White Boar

One day, a rare sight caught my eye: a magnificent white wild boar with its coat shimmering in the sunlight. This majestic creature seemed out of place in my familiar surroundings, yet it moved with the same grace and power as its darker counterparts.

This encounter left me in awe, the image of the white boar etched in my mind long after it had vanished from sight.

From that day on, I found myself venturing into the woods with a renewed sense of wonder, hoping to catch another glimpse of the rare animal that had briefly graced my life. Sadly, I never encountered the white boar again.

Over the next few days, two questions frequently crossed my mind.

Who exactly are white boars, and how did they acquire their distinctive white fur?

Wild boar piglets have light-colored stripes on their darker fur

White Boars: A Rare Gem

Coming across a white boar in the wilderness is like discovering a hidden treasure; it's as improbable as predicting a random string of numbers with complete accuracy. These majestic creatures are a rare sight, their pure white fur strikingly contrasting against the green backdrop of the forest.

Many believe that encountering one brings good luck and protection, a belief that has been passed down through generations of folklore.

Their elusive nature only adds to their mystique, as they are known to be incredibly skittish and quick to disappear back into the shadows. 

The scarcity of white boars is similar to that of white deer, suggesting that they are both very rare

The Spectrum of Wild Boars: Exploring the Diverse Colors of Swine

Animals in the Sus genus exhibit a range of different colors. For instance, the deep browns of wild boars and the sandy shades of certain domestic pigs each serve a specific purpose in their respective environments. These natural colors help them blend into their surroundings, an essential survival tactic for wild boars that must navigate their habitat to find food and avoid danger.

In contrast, domestic pigs often have colors selected by breeders for various reasons, such as enhancing their visibility in agricultural fairs or for aesthetic purposes, without the need to worry about predators.

Many disadvantages of White Color in Nature

White boars may look appealing, but their striking coloration presents clear disadvantages. Their distinctive look makes them vulnerable to hunters and hinders their ability to blend in well. In addition to humans, their lack of natural camouflage makes them more vulnerable to predators such as wolves, bears, and big cats.

Wild boar fur colors help them hide in their surroundings, making it harder for predators or hunters to spot them

Animals with lighter skin tones have a higher risk of sunburn and skin issues. Such sensitivity to sunlight can lead to discomfort and affect health and well-being, especially in areas with strong sunlight.

How is possible that wild boars have white fur?

Normally, white-colored animals are less common in nature compared to animals with regular pigmentation. This happens because the genetic mutation that causes white coloration is rare and needs to be inherited from both parents for their children to have it. Furthermore, white-coated animals encounter increased difficulties in terms of survival.

Even though animals typically lean towards darker colors, they might display white coloring in certain situations. Albinism is a genetic condition characterized by the lack of melanin pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes, resulting in a white or extremely pale appearance. Although albino wild boars are uncommon, they have been recorded in the wild, such as the one seen in Romania's forests a few years back.

The Author of the video, Wild Caras-Severin, wrote alongside the footage: “Dear friends, as we told you on other occasions, in nature surprises do not take long to appear. The other day we caught a white (albino) wild boar on video. It seems that it is a rather rare phenomenon in our country, it is the second case that we have ever encountered here,” Wild Caras-Severin said.

If a white boar possesses white hair without albinism, it might be due to a condition known as leucism. Leucism is a genetic disorder that causes a partial reduction in pigmentation in an animal's skin, hair, feathers, or scales, resulting in white or pale coloring in certain areas of the body.

Leucism differs from albinism because animals with leucism may have pigmented eyes and patches of normal coloring, unlike the total lack of color seen in albinism.

Whether white boars are albino or just mostly white in color, spotting these animals is considered a sign of good luck.

White Boar in Legendary Tales Around the World

The wild boar, known as "inoshishi," is a popular motif in Japanese mythology. It is thought that seeing the white boar brings good luck to observers. In certain myths, the wild boar is linked to mountain deities or kami and is seen as a protector of the woodlands. Additionally, the boar is commonly viewed as a messenger of the fire god Kagu-tsuchi" (火産霊, 軻遇突智)

Inari, a deity associated with rice, fertility, agriculture, and prosperity, is also connected with the white boar. 

In Japanese beliefs, the rare white boar is a messenger of gods

In Hindu religion, the boar symbolizes Varaha, the third incarnation of Vishnu in mythology. Varaha is shown as a boar saving the earth goddess, Bhudevi, from the depths of the cosmic ocean by carrying her on his tusks.

The wild boar is frequently shown as a formidable enemy in Celtic tales. In Irish folklore, the boar appears in stories like the "Hunt of Sídhe Dá Chích Anann," in which the protagonist Fionn mac Cumhaill fights against a giant boar.

In Europe, particularly in England, the white boar is famously linked to the myths and stories of King Richard III. During the Wars of the Roses, Richard III and his soldiers proudly displayed the white boar emblem, which Richard chose as his personal symbol. Following his demise at the Battle of Bosworth Field, soldiers discovered the white boar insignias on the fallen king's followers and on the king himself.

Wild boar fur is rough to shield them from things like thorns, branches, and bad weather in their environment

Richard may have been influenced in his decision to choose the White Boar as his personal emblem by Geoffrey of Monmouth's Histories of the Kings of Britain, in which a white boar symbolizes a strong British boar prophesied by Merlin to fight the Gauls.

There is limited information available on the prevalence of white wild boars due to their infrequent sightings and inadequate documentation. If you happen to come across one, consider yourself lucky, as you've had an invaluable experience that cannot be purchased with money.