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July 27, 2026Sources cited
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Science & Nature • Mammals

Pig

A pig is a stout-bodied, short-legged, omnivorous mammal in the family Suidae, including domestic pigs and wild swine.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

A pig is a stout-bodied, short-legged, omnivorous mammal in the family Suidae, including domestic pigs and wild swine. In common usage, “pig” often refers to domesticated swine, while related terms such as hog, swine, and boar are used in different contexts. Pigs are raised worldwide for meat and other products and also occur in the wild across parts of Eurasia, Africa, and many other regions through domestication and introduction.

Classification and naming

Pigs belong to the family Suidae and are even-toed ungulate mammals. Common names include pig, swine, hog, and boar, with usage varying by age, sex, and region.

Physical characteristics

Pigs are typically stout, barrel-shaped animals with short legs, thick skin, bristles, and a flat, rounded snout used for rooting and digging.

Domestication and uses

Domestic pigs were among the earliest animals domesticated by humans and are raised globally for meat and other materials, including leather and bristles.

Wild pigs and habitat

Wild pigs and related suids occur in Eurasia and Africa and occupy forests, grasslands, wetlands, and wooded areas. Domestic and feral populations now occur on many continents, but not Antarctica.

Key facts

  • Pigs are mammals in the family Suidae and are part of the even-toed ungulates.
  • They are omnivores with stout bodies, short legs, thick skin, and a distinctive snout.
  • Domestic pigs are raised for pork, lard, leather, bristles, and other products.
  • Wild pigs are native to Eurasia and Africa and live in habitats such as forests and grasslands.
  • Pigs are widely described as social and intelligent animals.
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Canadian context

Pigs are an important livestock species in Canada’s agricultural sector, where domestic pigs are raised for pork and related products. Canadian readers may also encounter pigs in wildlife, farming, veterinary, food, and biomedical research contexts.

Frequently asked questions

What is a pig?
A pig is an omnivorous mammal in the family Suidae, including domestic pigs and wild swine.
Are pigs the same as swine or hogs?
These terms overlap, but usage varies by region and context. “Swine” is a broader term, while “hog” and “pig” may refer to age, size, or domestic status.
What do pigs eat?
Pigs are omnivores. Wild pigs eat a wide range of plant and animal matter, while domestic pigs are commonly fed grains and food waste.
What are baby pigs called?
Baby pigs are called piglets.
Why are pigs important to humans?
Domestic pigs are important livestock animals because they provide pork and other products such as leather, lard, and bristles.
Where do pigs live naturally?
Wild pigs are native to Eurasia and Africa and live in habitats such as forests, grasslands, wetlands, and wooded areas.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/animal/pig-mammal-group
    Supports: Classification, physical description, and regional usage of the term pig.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/animal/pig-mammal-group
    Supports: Domestic and wild swine overview and body characteristics.
  3. Britannica Kids — https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/pig/353626
    Supports: Common names, uses, habitat, diet, body form, and piglets.
  4. PBS Nature — https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/group/mammals/pig/
    Supports: Genus Sus, Suidae family, native range, omnivory, and social behavior.
  5. New World Encyclopedia — https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Pig
    Supports: Family classification, native range, and domestication overview.
  6. Britannica Kids — https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/pig/275333
    Supports: Domestic and wild pig distribution, uses, diet, anatomy, and domestication.
  7. GBIF — https://www.gbif.org/species/113392271
    Supports: Genus Sus, native range, piglets, omnivory, and biomedical relevance.