Pigs

32 species

Pigs, hogs, or boars are all members of the family Suidae. They are small to medium animals with large heads and short necks, with relatively small eyes and prominent ears. Their heads have a distinctive snout, ending in a disc-shaped nose. They typically have a bristly coat, and a short tail ending in a tassle. In all species, the male is significantly larger than the female and possesses more prominent tusks Suids have a well-developed sense of hearing, and are vocal animals, communicating with a series of grunts, squeals, and similar sounds. They also have an acute sense of smell. Many species are omnivorous, eating grass, leaves, roots, insects, worms, and even frogs or mice. Other species are more selective and purely herbivorous. Suids are intelligent and adaptable animals. Adult females (sows) and their young travel in a group, while adult males (boars) are either solitary or travel in small bachelor groups. Males generally are not territorial and come into conflict only during the mating season. Sows give birth to 1-12 young and prepare a grass nest or similar den, which the young leave after about 10 days. They will be weaned at around 3 months, and become reproductively mature when they are 18 months old.
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Pigs, hogs, or boars are all members of the family Suidae. They are small to medium animals with large heads and short necks, with relatively small eyes and prominent ears. Their heads have a distinctive snout, ending in a disc-shaped nose. They typically have a bristly coat, and a short tail ending in a tassle. In all species, the male is significantly larger than the female and possesses more prominent tusks Suids have a well-developed sense of hearing, and are vocal animals, communicating with a series of grunts, squeals, and similar sounds. They also have an acute sense of smell. Many species are omnivorous, eating grass, leaves, roots, insects, worms, and even frogs or mice. Other species are more selective and purely herbivorous. Suids are intelligent and adaptable animals. Adult females (sows) and their young travel in a group, while adult males (boars) are either solitary or travel in small bachelor groups. Males generally are not territorial and come into conflict only during the mating season. Sows give birth to 1-12 young and prepare a grass nest or similar den, which the young leave after about 10 days. They will be weaned at around 3 months, and become reproductively mature when they are 18 months old.
show less