Fast Facts for Kids
Pig Facts for Kids

Pig Facts for Kids

  • Common Name: Pig
  • Binomial Name: Sus domesticus
  • Class: Mammalia
  • Order: Artiodactyla
  • Family: Suidae
  • Range: Worldwide (Domesticated)
  • Domesticated: Between 8,000 and 8,500 years ago

22 Pig Facts For Kids

  1. The domestic pig is a domesticated even-toed, hoofed mammal that is a member of the Suidae family.
  2. Domestic pigs are also known as the hogs, swine or simply pigs.
  3. The binominal name for the domestic pig is Sus domesticus.
  4. The domestic pig is one of nine living pig species in the Sus genus.
  5. Pigs were domesticated by humans between 8,000 and 8,500 years ago.
  6. Evidence suggests the first pigs were domesticated from the wild boar (Sus scrofa) in Turkey, Asia.
  7. Humans domesticated pigs for their production of meat (bacon, ham, pork, etc.).
  8. Pigs are found worldwide in any geographically location that has been inhabited by humans.
  9. There are between 600 and 800 million pigs of all breeds living worldwide.
  10. The country with the largest domestic pig population is China, which had 310 million pigs in 2019.
  11. There are around 144 different pig breeds found around the world.
  12. Each pig breed comes in a variety of different colors, shapes, and sizes.
  13. Pigs are herbivores and eat primarily plant material.
  14. The American Yorkshire pig breed is the most popular in the world.
  15. The Hungarian Mangalitsa pig is the largest pig breed in the world with a maximum weight of 1,100 pounds.
  16. The Kunekune pig is the smallest pig breed in the world with a weight as low as 130 pounds.
  17. The average weight range for domestic pig breeds is between 300 and 700 pounds.
  18. The average liter size for female domestic pig breeds is 7.5 pigs, but litters of 14 or more do occur.
  19. The average lifespan for domestic pigs is between 15 and 20 years.
  20. Pigs are known for their snorting and grunting sounds.
  21. An adult male pig is called a boar, an adult female pig is called a sow, and juvenile pigs of both genders are called piglets.
  22. Some pig breeds are used as pets, instead of livestock, like the miniature Vietnamese Pot-bellied pig.

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Pig Pictures

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the below images will be helpful for your research on pigs. Below are three pictures of various pigs. These pictures should help you better understand what a pig looks like.

The Pig (Sus Domesticus)

A picture of the pig (sus domesticus).

A Pregnant Female Pig

A picture of a pregnant female pig.

Piglets and Their Mother

A picture of piglets and their mother.

Pig Resources

We hope you found the above pig facts, information, data, and pictures both fun and educational. You can continue to research pigs using one of the below additional resources. They were chosen for their credibility and accuracy; you can trust their information when it comes to pigs. Thank you for choosing Fast Facts for Kids.