Pig
Sus scrofa domesticus
Pigs, hogs, swine: all of these are names for wild or domestic members of the scientific family Suidae. They are hoofed mammals with four toes on each foot. Humans have been raising pigs for more than 9,000 years. Domestic pigs are descended mainly from Eurasian wild boars, Sus scrofa.
What They Eat
Pigs are omnivores, eating plants and animals. Their snouts are well-suited to foraging for food scraps, roots, nuts and insects. Domestic pigs on farms eat feed rich in protein, vitamins and minerals. Pigs drink up to 8-10 gallons of water daily.
Where They Live
Domestic pigs live on every continent except Antarctica. Pigs do best in environments where they have ample shade, dirt, mud and water.
What They Do
Pigs spend a great deal of time digging with their snouts, or rooting – turning over soil to find roots, insects, and garbage to eat. Pigs wallow in mud. This protective coating of mud helps them cool down, avoid sunburn and deters some biting insects.
How They’re Doing
Several hundred pig breeds exist around the world today. Because they are valued for meat and other products, domestic pigs are thriving. However, some wild relatives, such as the Visayan Warty Pig, are critically endangered.
- All domestic pigs have curling tails. Their wild relatives (including wild boars, Red River Hogs, and Visayan Warty Pigs) have straight ones.
- During its 6,000-year history, China is believed to have produced more than 500 breeds of domestic pig. Nowadays, Chinese farmers raise about 50 breeds.
- Pig’s Eye is the original name of the city of St. Paul, the capital of Minnesota. Other pig-related city and town names in the United States include: Bacon, GA; Barrow, AK; and Frankfurt, IL.
- Pigs are highly intelligent and can be trained much like a domestic dog. Another indicator of pig intelligence is their wide range of play behaviors.
- Pigs communicate with a variety of grunts, squeaks and squeals, each with their own meaning.
- Pigs are easily house-trained and will not soil their own bedding when offered a choice.
