What instinct are we talking about? I ask because, what folks call instinct may not be very accurate at all.

In nature, when the first cold wave hits, snakes move to more supportive areas, ones with more sun exposure. Then stay active, sometimes they do down for short periods. They do tend to stay active for all long as they can find supportive conditions(suitable temps and humidity)

Also, at the same time, the groups and pairs that have separated attempt to local their groups and mates, at the first cold wave(big drop in temps) They then move to what we call dens, congregations etc and spend the winter with their prospective mates. This is what RESIDENT ADULTS do.

Transient adults, have no set pattern and search for homes and mates, most fail. normal populations are 80% transients and 20% residents. But that varies from year to year and local to local.

With hogs in particular, the males will start to attend females in mid to late oct(here) Then stay with them until after the breeding season.

Back to your case, I fear your using the word instinct as a trash bag to put what you/we do not understand. And sir, there is a lot we do not understand. But everything they do HAS REASON. If your animal is healthy and your happy, then observe it and learn.

Lastly, males can grow much larger then 18 inches. Best wishes

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