Buzz
Although the terms pig and hog are frequently used interchangeably, they both refer to the same domesticated species within the Suidae family. Known for their love of mud and snorting, these animals are a common sight on farms. However, while pigs and hogs are fundamentally the same creature, there are distinct differences that set the two apart.
Animal | Scientific Name | Environment | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
Pig | Sus scrofa domesticus | Farm | 40–120 pounds |
Hog | Sus scrofa domesticus | Farm | 120+ pounds |
Boar | Sus scrofa | Forest | 150–220 pounds |
The Common Traits of Pigs and Hogs
Pigs and hogs share the scientific classification Sus scrofa domesticus. These creatures were originally bred as livestock, though they can also be kept as pets. With their stout builds, pointed ears, flat noses, and short legs ending in hooves, they have a distinct appearance. Though typically depicted as pale pink in the media, pigs and hogs actually come in a variety of colors such as red, brown, black, white, or a mix of these hues.
Renowned for their intelligence, pigs and hogs are among the smartest animals on four legs. These social creatures are capable of learning remarkable skills, including solving puzzles, playing video games, and even surfing. Even their more basic behaviors reveal a surprising cleverness. Due to their few sweat glands, they use mud to cool off on hot days, and when housed in cool environments, they remain surprisingly clean despite their muddy tendencies.
Distinguishing Pigs from Hogs
If you’ve never worked on a farm, you might not be familiar with the distinction between pigs and hogs. Farmers use these terms to classify animals by size: smaller animals are referred to as pigs, while larger, mature ones are called hogs, typically ready for slaughter. A pig becomes a hog once it reaches 120 pounds, usually at around 3 years old. However, in factory farm settings, growth can be accelerated using hormones.
Pigs are animals that have not yet reached the weight of a hog, ranging between 40 and 120 pounds. The younger, recently weaned ones are called shoats, while the smallest and least developed are referred to as piglets.
What’s the Role of Boars?
Boars, or Sus scrofa, are the wild relatives of pigs and hogs within the Suidae family. They can be found in forests across North America, Europe, Asia, North Africa, and New Zealand. Unlike their domesticated cousins, wild boars are not tame and can be aggressive. Although they don’t hunt humans, they have been known to attack, causing more fatalities each year than sharks.
Beyond their more aggressive nature, boars can be easily recognized by their physical features. They possess strong, muscular builds covered in coarse brown fur, and their snouts are equipped with tusks for foraging food [PDF]. While not as bulky as hogs, they typically weigh between 150 and 220 pounds.
What Is the Term Swine?
Swine is a broad term that encompasses all the previously mentioned categories. This includes pigs, hogs, shoats, and piglets. It also applies not only to Sus scrofa domesticus but can be used to describe wild boar species as well. Although any member of the Suidae family could be considered swine, the term is most commonly used to refer to the domesticated pigs and hogs found on farms.
