Ossabaw Island

The Ossabaw Island pig is a small feral-derived heritage pig from Ossabaw Island off the coast of Georgia in the United States. Descended from pigs left by early Spanish and later settlers, it adapted to a barrier-island environment with scarce seasonal feed. The breed is famous for thriftiness, dark or spotted coats, compact size, and a metabolism that can store fat readily when feed is abundant.

Ossabaw pigs are valuable for conservation, specialty pork, and research interest, but they are not casual pets. They can become obese quickly on rich diets, so ration control and active outdoor housing are important. Breeders should preserve the island-derived genetics by keeping clear herd records and avoiding crosses sold under the Ossabaw name. Because the original island population is protected and access is restricted, most keepers work with mainland conservation herds.