FaunaHub

Pig (Sus domesticus)

MammalDomesticOmnivore

A pink domestic pig standing outdoors on bare ground.

Domestic pig (Sus domesticus).

Image: Gzen92, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Overview

The domestic pig (Sus domesticus, descended from the wild boar Sus scrofa) is an omnivorous, even-toed ungulate kept worldwide as livestock and, in some places, as a companion animal. Pigs are intelligent and social, with a strong sense of smell and a natural rooting behaviour. They have been domesticated for thousands of years and exist in many breeds.

Habitat & Range

Domestic pigs are farm animals raised in a range of systems, from outdoor pasture and woodland to indoor housing. They are adaptable but sensitive to heat because they cannot sweat effectively, which is why access to shade, water, and wallows matters in warm conditions. Their distribution reflects agriculture worldwide rather than a wild range; their wild relative, the boar, occupies forests and is a separate animal.

Diet

Pigs are omnivores with a varied diet. In farm settings they are usually fed formulated rations, grain, and forage, and when given access to pasture or woodland they root in soil for roots, tubers, invertebrates, and fallen food. Their flexible diet was one reason pigs were domesticated. Specific feeding depends on region, production system, and welfare standards.

Behavior

Pigs are social animals that live in groups, form bonds, and establish hierarchies. They are frequently cited among the more cognitively capable domestic mammals, able to learn tasks and respond to training. Rooting — using the flat, sensitive snout to dig and explore — is a strong natural behaviour. Pigs use a range of grunts and squeals to communicate and wallow in mud to cool down and protect their skin.

Human Interaction & Conservation

Pigs are among the most economically important livestock species globally and also feature widely in culture and, increasingly, as kept companion animals such as pot-bellied pigs. As a domestic species, the pig is not assigned a wild conservation status; relevant concerns are welfare, housing, and management. This page is educational and does not provide husbandry or veterinary advice.

Appearance & Recognition

Pigs have a stout, barrel-shaped body, short legs, cloven hooves, small eyes, and a distinctive flat, mobile snout used for rooting. Coat colour and density vary by breed, from the pink of many commercial breeds to black, spotted, or hairy coats in heritage and pot-bellied types. Adult size ranges widely, from compact miniature pigs to very large commercial breeds.

Similar Animals

Domestic pigs belong to the family Suidae alongside wild boar, warthogs, and other wild pigs. The domestic pig should not be confused with the wild boar — although closely related and capable of interbreeding, they differ in behaviour, ecology, and management.

More photos of the pig

Two pot-bellied pigs resting on the ground.

Pot-bellied domestic pigs, a smaller breed of Sus domesticus.

Image: Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently Asked Questions — Pig

Are pigs intelligent?
Pigs are widely regarded as one of the more cognitively capable domestic mammals. Studies and educational sources describe them learning tasks, remembering routines, and responding to training, which is part of why they are kept both as livestock and as companion animals.
Why do pigs roll in mud?
Pigs cannot sweat effectively, so they wallow in mud to cool down. A coating of mud also helps protect their skin from sunburn and parasites. Access to a wallow or shade is an important welfare consideration in warm weather.
Are domestic pigs the same as wild boar?
They are very closely related — the domestic pig descends from the wild boar — but they are treated as a domestic form. Wild boar live in forests as wildlife and differ in build and behaviour. This page is about the domestic pig, not advice on keeping or approaching wild boar.

Sources and further reading

Authoritative wildlife references used for general educational context. Conservation status should always be verified against current IUCN Red List data. External links open in a new tab.