Domestic Pig
Scientific Name
Class
Order
Range
Habitat
Estimated Wild Population
More Information
Physical Description
Pigs vary greatly across several hundred breeds, though most are short, fleshy, and sparsely covered in hair. All have hoofed paws at the end of short legs. Also known as hogs, these mammals are opportunistic omnivores, eating everything from grains to greens to table scraps. They use their snout to turn over soil in search for food. Lacking sweat glands, they coat themselves in mud to protect their sensitive skin from the sun.
Interesting Fact 1
A well-developed sense of smell helps pigs detect food buried underground.
Interesting Fact 2
Pigs were likely domesticated as early as 9000 B.C.
Interesting Fact 3
Pigs are considered highly intelligent animals, and scientist have recorded them using bark as a tool to overturn soil.
Commitment to Care
Lincoln Park Zoo prioritizes individual well-being over everything else. Guided by scientific research, staff and volunteers work to provide the best welfare outcomes for each individual in the zoo’s care.
Support Your Zoo
Animals Depend On People Too
When you ADOPT an animal, you support world-class animal care by helping to provide specially formulated diets, new habitat elements, and regular veterinary checkups.
Wish List
The Wish List is full of one-of-a-kind items for the zoo’s animals, including nutritious snacks and enrichment items to keep them active and healthy.
Take Action With Us
Wildlife face many daunting challenges—some global, like planet-wide climate change, and some that affect individuals, like an animal ingesting plastic—but now is not the time to despair. None of these problems are too big for us to come together and solve.
