Pigs and Hogs

Pigs are estimated to have evolved about 38 million years ago in central Europe, and about 25 million years ago to have become established in Africa and Asia. Pigs became domesticated in China about 5000 b.c.e. The reason for the delay in agricultural domestication is believed to be that pigs were unwilling to adapt to a nomadic lifestyle, as dogs, sheep, and goats did. The domesticated pig is thought to have descended fromtwo different lines of wild hogs. It is believed that the East Indian pig (Sus vittatus) has had major influence on the swine of China and the surrounding region. The European wild boar has probably had major influence on the rest of the various breeds of pigs in the world. The domestic pig is a compact, solid-looking animal with a large head, short, fast-moving legs, a rough coat, and a small tail. The color of a pig can vary greatly, fromwhite or black to brownish-red, and any combination thereof, including spotted, solid colored, and banded. Some may reach a height of only twelve inches at the shoulder, others may reach all the way to four feet. The weight of a pig also can vary, with some weighing only about 60 pounds, where others can go over 900. The average meat pig falls in the range from225 to 300 pounds. Humans use pigs in many different ways. From the point of view of the percentage of the carcass used, the pig is the most utilized of all domesticated animals. The hair is used for brushes because it is very strong, yet flexible. The hide is used for numerous products, from shoes to purses; in general it is lightweight and durable. The blood and offal are used for fertilizers, soaps, and medical supplies. Domestic pigs have been used by mankind for centuries as a main supplier of dietary protein.

Types of Pigs
Pigs are cloven-hoofed ungulates, and are closely related to the hippopotamus. As mentioned, the domestic pig (Sus scrofa) isnowfound worldwide. They are omnivorous, eating almost anything. However, pigs generally prefer to eat soft tissue plants, especially roots and tubers, which they dig up with their noses. They will also eat leaves, seeds, bugs, and anything that is found on the ground, including bird eggs, baby birds, snakes, and carrion. There are hundreds of different breeds of pigs in the world. Most of the breeds that the various departments of agriculture recognize as major contributors to current swine production come from the United States or Europe. The pigs can be identified as being either meat, lard, or bacon types. Lardtypes have lost a great deal in numbers over the past fifty years, and have been bred into a style more like meat. The pig population in the world is large, and is approaching almost one billion in number, with China having the largest number, 250 million. Russia and the United States are tied in second place with about 60 million each. Brazil would be fourth with 35 million. The largest consumer of pork per capita is Denmark (105 pounds annually), followed by Hungary, Germany, Austria, Luxembourg-Belgium, and the United States. In the United States, the state of Iowa leads in production of hogs, followed by Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, and Minnesota. Pigs are very smart domesticated animals. Their abilities are thought of as being greater than those of the domestic dog. Indeed, pigs make fine pets, as is evidenced by the pot-bellied pig of Southeast Asia.