| Scientific Name: |
Sus scrofa |
| Range: |
Domesticated pigs can be found on all
continents of the world except Antarctica. |
| Habitat: |
On farms, pigs prefer open areas with
access to mud baths and shade. |
| Natural Diet: |
Pigs are omnivores and eat a great
variety of plants, animals and carrion. |
| Zoo Diet: |
Commercial pig food |
Physical
Characteristics: |
The adult male (boar) pig can weigh as
much as 500 pounds. The adult female (sow) can weigh up to 450
pounds. The piglets weigh 2 1/2 pounds at birth but double their birth
weight in the first week. Pigs reach their adult size at 1 1/2 to 2
years. On average, pigs live from 9-15 years. |
| Behavior: |
Pigs root and dig in the ground looking
for roots and tubers. They tend to keep themselves cleaner than most
animals. They enjoy wallowing in mud to cool off on very hot days.
The mud also helps to keep flies and bugs off of them. |
| Reproduction: |
Sows can mate at 8 months of age and
carry their young for 114 days before giving birth. They have 8-12
piglets but infrequently as many as 27. |
| Notes: |
Pigs are one of the most intelligent
animals in the group of domesticated animals. |
