The pig, also called swine or hog, is an omnivorous, domesticated, even-toed, hoofed mammal. It is named the domestic pig when distinguishing it from other members of the genus Sus. Some authorities consider it a subspecies of Sus scrofa ; other authorities consider it a distinct species. Pigs were domesticated independently twice during the Neolithic, in the Near East around the Tigris Basin, and in China. When domesticated pigs arrived in Europe from the Near East, they extensively interbred with wild boar in Europe but retained their domesticated features.
At a glance
- Scientific name
- Sus scrofa domesticus
- Category
- Other exotic pets
- Animal type
- Other
- Other names
- cochon nain, mini-pig
Some species are regulated (CITES, ownership permits) — check the rules before keeping one.
