A Comparison Of Eye Lens Weight And Tooth Irruption Pattern In Age Determination Of Feral Hogs (Sus Serofa)

A study was conducted on the A.E.C. Savannah River Plant, Aiken, South Carolina, to determine if eye lens weight was a reliable indicator of age in feral swine. A strong correlation (r=0.95) was found between eye lens weight and tooth irruption age. In most cases, when body weight failed, eye lens weight remained a dependable indicator of age in feral hogs. Eye lens weight can therefore be used as a reliable age criterion in feral hogs. With the establishment of an eye lens weight - to - age curve based on known-age animals, eye lens weight may prove to be better than tooth irruption for indicating the age structure of a feral hog population.