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For other uses, see Pig (disambiguation).
"Sus" redirects here. For other uses, see SUS.
Pig
A sow and her piglet.
A sow and her piglet.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Subclass: Theria
Infraclass: Eutheria
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Suidae
Subfamily: Suinae
Genus: Sus
Linnaeus, 1758
Species

Sus barbatus
Sus bucculentus
Sus cebifrons
Sus celebensis
Sus domestica
Sus falconeri†
Sus heureni
Sus hysudricus†
Sus oliveri
Sus philippensis[1]
Sus salvanius
Sus scrofa
Sus strozzi†
Sus timoriensis
Sus verrucosus

Pigs, also called hogs or swine, are ungulates which have been domesticated as sources of food, leather, and similar products since ancient times. Chordates ( Phylum Chordata) are a group of Animals that includes the Vertebrates together with several closely related Invertebrates Mammals ( class Mammalia) are a class of Vertebrate Animals characterized by the presence of Sweat glands, including sweat glands Theria (ˈθɪərɪə from the Greek θηρίον, wild beast is a subclass of Mammals ref> that give birth to live young without See also Evolution of mammals Eutheria ("true beast" are a group of Mammals consisting of Placental mammals plus all extinct Mammals The even-toed ungulates form the Mammal order Artiodactyla. They are Ungulates whose weight is borne (if they have more than two toes about Suidae is the biological family to which Pigs and their relatives belong Suinae is a Subfamily in the Suidae family Carl Linnaeus (Latinized as Carolus Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as, May 23 new style (13 May old style 1707 who laid the foundations for Year 1758 ( MDCCLVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The Bearded Pig ( Sus barbatus) also known as the Bornean Bearded Pig, is a Species of Pig. UserPolbot. -->The Indo-chinese Warty Pig ( Sus bucculentus) also known as the or Vietnam Warty Pig The Visayan Warty Pig, Sus cebifrons, is a Critically endangered species of pig The Celebes Warty Pig ( Sus celebensis) Sulawesi warty pig or Sulawesi Pig, lives on Sulawesi in Indonesia. The domestic Pig (or in some areas hog) is normally given the scientific name Sus scrofa scrofa, though some taxonomists use the term The Flores Warty Pig ( Sus heureni) is a species of Pig found in Southern Asia Oliver's Warty Pig ( Sus oliveri) or Mindoro Warty Pig is a small species of pig from tropical Asia The Philippine Warty Pig, Sus philippensis, is one of three known Pig Species endemic to the Philippines. Pygmy hog ( Porcula salvania) is an endangered species of small Wild pig, previously spread across India, Nepal, and Bhutan but The boar or wild boar ( Sus scrofa) is an Omnivorous, gregarious Mammal of the biological family Suidae. The Timor Warty Pig ( Sus timoriensis) is a species of Even-toed ungulate in the Suidae family UserPolbot. -->The Javan Pig or Javan Warty Pig ( Sus verrucosus) is a species of Even-toed ungulate Ungulates (meaning roughly "being Hoofed quot or "hoofed animal" are several groups of Mammals most of which use the tips of their toes usually More recently, they have been involved in biomedical research and treatments, especially for their eyes and hearts, which closely resemble those of humans. Their long association with humans has led to their considerable representation in cultural milieux from paintings to proverbs. Painting (pān'tīng in Art, is the practice of applying Color to a Surface (support base such as e A proverb (from the Latin proverbium) also called a byword or nayword, is a simple and concrete Saying popularly known and repeated

Native to Eurasia, they are collectively grouped under the genus Sus within the Suidae family. For the superstate in George Orwell 's novel see Nations of Nineteen Eighty-Four. A genus (plural genera from Γένος Latin genus "descent family type gender" is a low-level Taxonomic Suidae is the biological family to which Pigs and their relatives belong In Biological classification, family ( Latin Despite pigs' reputation for gluttony, and another reputation for dirtiness, a lesser known quality is their intelligence. Derived from the Latin gluttire, meaning to gulp down or swallow gluttony is the over-indulgence and Over-consumption of food drink or intoxicants The nearest living relatives of the swine family are the peccaries. Peccaries (also known as javelinas, by the Portuguese name javali and Spanish jabalí or pecarí) are medium-sized

Contents

Description and behavior

A pig has a snout for a nose, small eyes, and a small tail, which may be curly, kinked, or straight. It has a thick body, short legs, and coarse hair. There are four toes on each foot, with the two large middle toes used for walking.

Pigs are omnivores, which means that they consume both plants and animals. Omnivores (from Latin omne all everything vorare to devour are species that eat both Plants and Animals as their primary Pigs will scavenge and have been known to eat any kind of food, including dead insects, worms, tree bark, rotting carcasses, garbage, and even other pigs. In the wild, they are foraging animals, primarily eating leaves and grasses, roots, fruits and flowers. Occasionally, in captivity, pigs may eat their own young, often if they become severely stressed. In Animal science, savaging (from savage) is overt aggression usually including cannibalistic infanticide of newborn Offspring A typical pig has a large head with a long snout which is strengthened by a special bone called the prenasal bone and by a disk of cartilage in the tip. Cartilage is a type of dense Connective tissue. It is composed of specialized cells called chondrocytes that produce a large amount of extracellular matrix The snout is used to dig into the soil to find food and is a very sensitive sense organ. Pigs have a full set of 44 teeth. The canine teeth, called tusks, grow continually and are sharpened by the lowers and uppers rubbing against each other.

Pigs that are allowed to forage may be watched by swineherds. A Swineherd (ˈswaɪnhɜrd is a person who looks after pigs. The term has fallen out of popular use in favour of 'pig farmer' Because of their foraging abilities and excellent sense of smell, they are used to find truffles in many European countries. A truffle ( is the valuable and highly sought-after edible Fruiting body of a group of subterranean Ascomycete fungi of the Genus Domesticated pigs are commonly raised as livestock by farmers for meat (called pork), as well as for leather. The domestic Pig (or in some areas hog) is normally given the scientific name Sus scrofa scrofa, though some taxonomists use the term Livestock is the term used to refer (singularly or plurally to a Domesticated Animal intentionally reared in an agricultural setting to produce such as Food A farmer is a person who raises living organisms for food or raw materials In modern English usage meat most often refers to Animal tissue used as food mostly Skeletal muscle and associated Fat, but it may also refer Pork' is the Culinary name for Meat from the domestic Pig ( Sus scrofa) often specifically the fresh meat but can be used as an all-inclusive Leather is a material created through the Tanning of hides and Skins of Animals primarily Cattlehide The Tanning process Their bristly hairs are also used for brushes. Hair is a keratinised protein filament that grows through the epidermis from follicles deep within the Dermis. "Paintbrush" redirects here For other uses see Paintbrush (disambiguation. Some breeds of pigs, such as the Asian pot-bellied pig, are kept as pets. Pot Belly Sowjpg|300px|thumb|Pot-bellied sow]]The pot-bellied pig is a Breed of Domesticated Pig originating in Vietnam with fourteen sub-species A pet is an Animal kept for companionship and enjoyment or a househeld animal as opposed to Livestock, Laboratory animals Working animals

Breeding occurs throughout the year in the tropics, but births peak around rainy seasons. A female pig can become pregnant at around 8-18 months of age. She will then go into estrus every 21 days if not bred. Oestrus is also the biological genus name of the gadfly. The estrous cycle (also oestrous cycle; derived from Latin Male pigs become sexually active at 8-10 months of age. [2] A litter of piglets typically contains between 6 and 12 piglets. After the young are weaned, two or more families may come together until the next mating season.

Pigs do not have functional sweat glands,[3] so pigs cool themselves using water or mud during hot weather. The skin contains two different groups of sweat glands: Apocrine sweat glands and Merocrine sweat glands. They also use mud as a form of sunscreen to protect their skin from sunburn. A sunburn is a burn to living tissue such as Skin produced by overexposure to Ultraviolet (UV radiation commonly from the Sun 's rays Mud also provides protection against flies and parasites.

Species

Domestic Pigs

Pigs on a farm
Pigs on a farm
Main article: Domestic pig

Pigs have been domesticated since ancient times in the Old World and are known for their exceptional intelligence. The Timor Warty Pig ( Sus timoriensis) is a species of Even-toed ungulate in the Suidae family UserPolbot. -->The Javan Pig or Javan Warty Pig ( Sus verrucosus) is a species of Even-toed ungulate The domestic Pig (or in some areas hog) is normally given the scientific name Sus scrofa scrofa, though some taxonomists use the term The Old World consists of those parts of Earth known to Europeans Asians and Africans in the 15th century Domestic Pigs are found across Europe, the Middle East and extend into Asia as far as Indonesia and Japan. They were brought to southeastern North America from Europe by De Soto and other early Spanish explorers. Pigs are particularly valued in China and on certain oceanic islands, where their self-sufficiency allows them to be turned loose, although the practice is not without its drawbacks (see below). Pigs, also called hogs or' swine', are Ungulates which have been domesticated as sources of food leather and similar products since ancient times

The Domestic Pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) is usually given the scientific name Sus scrofa, although some authors call it S. domesticus, reserving S. scrofa for the Wild boar. It was domesticated approximately 5,000 to 7,000 years ago. Their coats are coarse and bristly. They are born brownish colored and tend to turn more grayish colored with age. The upper canines form sharp distinctive tusks that curve outward and upward. Compared to other artiodactyles, their head is relatively long, pointed, and free of warts. Their head and body length ranges from 900-1,800 mm and can weigh 50-350 kg.

Pigs can be trained to perform numerous simple tasks and tricks. Recently, they have enjoyed a measure of popularity as house pets, particularly the dwarf breeds.

Cultural references to pigs

Main article: Cultural references to pigs

Pigs are frequently referenced in culture and are a popular topic for idioms and famous quotes. Pigs have inspired many idioms and are frequently referenced in culture

Pigs in religion

Painting of Saint Anthony with pig in background by Piero di Cosimo c. 1480
Painting of Saint Anthony with pig in background by Piero di Cosimo c. 1480

Environmental impacts

Feral pigs in Florida, United States
Feral pigs in Florida, United States

Domestic pigs that have escaped from farms or were allowed to forage in the wild, and in some cases wild boars which were introduced as prey for hunting, have given rise to large populations of feral pigs in North and South America, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii and other areas where pigs are not native. Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the Accidental or deliberate releases of pigs into countries or environments where they are an alien species have caused extensive environmental change. Their omnivorous diet, aggressive behaviour and their feeding method of rooting in the ground all combine to severely alter ecosystems unused to pigs. Pigs will even eat small animals and destroy nests of ground nesting birds. [17] The Invasive Species Specialist Group lists feral pigs on the list of the world's 100 worst invasive species and says about them:[18]

“ Feral pigs like other introduced mammals are major drivers of extinction and ecosystem change. They have been introduced into many parts of the world, and will damage crops and home gardens as well as potentially spreading disease. They uproot large areas of land, eliminating native vegetation and spreading weeds. This results in habitat alteration, a change in plant succession and composition and a decrease in native fauna dependent on the original habitat. ”

Health issues

Pigs harbour a range of parasites and diseases that can be transmitted to humans. Parasitism is a type of symbiotic relationship between Organisms of different Species. A disease is an abnormal condition of an organism that impairs bodily functions and can be deadly These include trichinosis, Taenia solium, cysticercosis, and brucellosis. Trichinosis, also called trichinellosis, or trichiniasis, is a Parasitic disease caused by eating raw or undercooked Pork and Wild game Taenia solium, also called the Pork Tapeworm, is a Cyclophyllid Cestode in the family Taeniidae. Cysticercosis, or neurocysticercosis, is the most common parasitic Infestation of the Central nervous system worldwide Brucellosis, also called undulant fever, or Malta fever, is a highly contagious Zoonosis caused by ingestion of unsterilized Milk Pigs are also known to host large concentrations of parasitic ascarid worms in their digestive tract. Ascaris is a genus of parasitic Nematode worms One species A suum, typically infects Pigs, while another [1]The presence of these diseases and parasites is one of the reasons why pork meat should always be well cooked or cured before eating. Some religious groups that consider pork unclean refer to these issues as support for their views. [2]

Pigs are susceptible to bronchitis and pneumonia. Bronchitis is an Inflammation of the Bronchi. More specifically it may refer to Acute bronchitis, caused by viruses or bacteria and lasting Pneumonia is an inflammatory illness of the Lung. Frequently it is described as lung Parenchyma / alveolar inflammation and abnormal They have small lungs in relation to body size; for this reason, bronchitis or pneumonia can kill a pig quickly.

Pigs can be aggressive and pig-induced injuries are relatively common in areas where pigs are reared or where they form part of the wild or feral fauna. [3]

See also

References

  1. ^ Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society (1997), 120: 163–191. The Babirusa or pig-deer, Babyrousa babyrussa, is a Pig -like animal native to Sulawesi and surrounding islands of Indonesia. The boar or wild boar ( Sus scrofa) is an Omnivorous, gregarious Mammal of the biological family Suidae. The domestic Pig (or in some areas hog) is normally given the scientific name Sus scrofa scrofa, though some taxonomists use the term Pot Belly Sowjpg|300px|thumb|Pot-bellied sow]]The pot-bellied pig is a Breed of Domesticated Pig originating in Vietnam with fourteen sub-species Fetal pigs are unborn pigs used in elementary as well as advanced Biology classes as objects for Dissection. Hog-baiting, aka Hog dogging Hog-dog fighting or Hog-dog rodeo is a Bloodsport involving the baiting of a hog or Intensive piggeries (or hog lots) are a type of Factory farm specialized for the raising of Domestic pigs up to slaughter weight This is a list of notable Pigs hogs or wild Boars General Jason Kett In 1859 an unnamed British-owned pig wandered into Lyman Cutlar 's Pigs in literature Ace great-grandson of Babe in Ace the Very Important Pig by Dick King-Smith. The Pig Olympics are a sporting event organized by and for specially-bred and trained Piglets The 2006 competition was held in Moscow, Russia while in 2005 the Razorbacks, also referred to as an Old World swine, Eurasian wild Boar, or Russian wild boar, are Feral Pigs that were brought Bacon is a cut of Meat taken from the sides belly or back of a Pig that has been cured, smoked, or both Pork' is the Culinary name for Meat from the domestic Pig ( Sus scrofa) often specifically the fresh meat but can be used as an all-inclusive Ham is the Thigh and Rump of Pork, cut from the Haunch of a Pig or Boar. Lard is pig Fat in both its rendered and unrendered forms Lard was commonly used in many cuisines as a Cooking fat or Shortening Hogzilla is the name given to a wild hog hybrid that was shot and killed in Alapaha Georgia, United States, on June 17, 2004 Unclean animals, in some Religions are Animals on whose consumption or handling is labelled a Taboo.
  2. ^ The solitary adult males together and fight for the right to mate with a female. A single male usually wins control over 4 females on average. ADW: Sus scrofa: Information
  3. ^ Managing Heat Stress In Outdoor Pigs
  4. ^ Müller, 1838
  5. ^ Heude, 1892
  6. ^ Heude, 1888
  7. ^ Müller & Schlegel, 1843
  8. ^ Hardjasasmita, 1987
  9. ^ Groves, 1997
  10. ^ Nehring, 1886
  11. ^ Hodgson, 1847
  12. ^ * Funk, Stephan M. , Sunil Kumar Verma, Greger Larson, Kasturi Prasad, Lalji Singh, Goutam Narayan and John E. Fa (2007). The pygmy hog is a unique genus: 19th century taxonomists got it right first time round. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, Volume 45, Pages 427-436.
  13. ^ Linnaeus, 1758
  14. ^ Linnaeus, 1758
  15. ^ Müller & Schlegal, 1845
  16. ^ Müller, 1840
  17. ^ ADW: Sus scrofa: Information
  18. ^ issg Database: Ecology of Sus scrofa

External links

Dictionary

pig

-noun

  1. Any of several mammals of the genus Sus, having cloven hooves, bristles and a nose adapted for digging; especially the domesticated farm animal Sus scrofa.
  2. (specifically) A young swine, a piglet.
  3. (uncountable) The edible meat of such an animal; pork.
  4. Someone who overeats or eats rapidly and noisily.
  5. A nasty or disgusting person.
  6. A dirty or slovenly person.
  7. (UK, US, AUS, derogatory slang) A police officer.
  8. (informal) A difficult problem.
  9. (countable and uncountable) A block of cast metal.
  10. The mold in which a block of metal is cast.
  11. (engineering) A device for cleaning or inspecting the inside of an oil or gas pipeline, or for separating different substances within the pipeline. Named for the pig-like squealing noise made by their progress.

-verb

  1. (of swine) to give birth.
  2. To eat greedily (also pig out), or in a noisy or dirty fashion.
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