Pig

Sus scrofa domesticus

Pigs are domesticated swine descended from wild boar, shaped over thousands of years into meat, lard, landrace, heritage, laboratory, and companion lines. Sus scrofa domesticus includes everything from large commercial hogs to small traditional breeds and potbellied companion pigs, with major differences in size, growth rate, ear carriage, coat color, and body type. They are intelligent rooting animals with strong social behavior, a powerful sense of smell, and a need to explore their surroundings.

Human management ranges from pasture-based farms and breeding herds to sanctuaries and household companion settings. Good care depends on secure fencing, shade, dry bedding, clean water, balanced feed, hoof and tusk attention when needed, and biosecurity that protects both the pigs and neighboring herds. Buyers should be cautious about size claims for miniature pigs, since many outgrow expectations. Breed registries, farm records, and movement documents can be important for pedigrees, health programs, food production, and disease tracing.