The poison, sodium nitrite, kills pigs within hours after they eat large concentrations of it, federal researchers say. Swine become lethargic, lie down and die, usually after falling into a coma. By reducing oxygen being carried in blood to tissues, sodium nitrite kills in a way similar to carbon monoxide poisoning.

What is poisonous to pig?

Bracken, hemlock, cocklebur, henbane, ivy, acorns, ragwort, foxglove, elder, deadly nightshade, rhododendron, and laburnum are all highly toxic to pigs. Jimsonweed—also known as Hell’s Bells, Pricklyburr, Devil’s Weed, Jamestown Weed, Stinkweed, Devil’s Trumpet, or Devil’s Cucumber—is also poisonous to them.

What are predators of pigs?

Predators of the grown hogs are humans, bears, packs of wolves or dogs and panthers. The shoats and pigs can be taken by dogs, coyote, bobcats, other medium sized carnivores like racoons, and the larger raptors such as owls and eagles.