Domestic pig

Domestic Pig

Species	S. scrofa

The domestic pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) is a subspecies of the wild boar (Sus scrofa), and belongs to the family Suidae in the order Artiodactyla. Domestic pigs are raised primarily for their meat, pork, but also for leather, and their bristles are used for brushes. They have been domesticated from wild boars around 9,000 years ago. They are highly social and intelligent animals.

Characteristics

Domestic pigs vary widely in skin color, size, and weight. Generally, they have a large head with a long snout which is strengthened by a special prenasal bone and a disk of cartilage at the tip. The snout is used to dig into the soil to find food and is a very acute sense organ. They have small eyes and a short, thick neck. The body of the domestic pig is stocky and cylindrical, with a large belly capable of storing large amounts of fat.

Behavior

Pigs are known for their intelligence and can be trained to perform numerous tasks and tricks. They are social animals, with advanced communication skills. They can live in groups called sounders, especially in the wild. In a domestic environment, pigs often exhibit social behaviors that include nest building and the establishment of social hierarchies.

Reproduction

Female pigs, known as sows, give birth to a litter of piglets after a gestation period of about 114 days. The number of piglets in a litter varies, often ranging from 10 to 12. Piglets are weaned off their mother’s milk at around two to three months old.

Economic Importance

Domestic pigs are one of the most valuable animals to humans. They are raised primarily for their meat, pork, but also produce other products such as leather, lard, and gelatin. Pigs have also been used in medical research and have been a source of organs and tissues for transplantation into humans.

In Culture

Pigs have been a part of human culture for thousands of years and are found in many myths, traditions, and religions. They are often associated with themes of fertility and gluttony. In some cultures, pigs are seen as unclean, while in others, they are viewed as symbols of wealth and prosperity.

See Also

• Pork
• Wild boar
• Livestock
• Animal husbandry