What Does "Wild Game" Mean? A Full Guide to Common Wild Game Animals

With the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic, the issue of wildlife consumption has once again become the focus of public opinion. So what does wild game mean? What animals count as wild game?

What does wild game mean?

“Wild game” refers to wild animals, including mammals, birds, etc., or the edible meat of hunted animals (such as from the chase); especially the edible meat of hunted beasts. Wild game is not necessarily a wild animal; it can also be wild vegetables; nor is it necessarily a nationally protected animal.

What animals count as wild game?

1. Bats

The only mammals capable of flight.

2. Masked palm civet

Scientific name: Paguma larvata. It is a carnivorous animal of the family Viverridae and the genus Paguma.

3. Wild boar

Scientific name: Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa), an even-toed ungulate of the class Mammalia and the family Suidae.

4. Pangolin

Carries numerous internal parasites, which can damage the stomach and intestines and cause complications such as myocarditis, pneumonia and hepatitis.

5. Hedgehog

A collective term for a group of mammals of the order Erinaceomorpha in the subfamily Erinaceinae; carries numerous internal parasites.

6. Wild marmot

Commonly known as the marmot, it is the largest species in the squirrel family. It carries numerous internal parasites that can damage multiple organs including the intestines, liver and brain. Its body contains Yersinia pestis, the chief culprit behind plague.

7. Wild snake

Carries numerous internal parasites; infection can cause peritonitis, septicemia, pericarditis, iritis and more, damaging multiple organs and endangering life.

In addition, animals such as hares, non-farm-raised pheasants and raccoons all count as wild game.