Domestic pig in exhibit
Scientific Name
Sus scrofa
Class
Mammalia
Order
Artiodactyla
Range
Domesticated around the world
Habitat
n/a
Estimated Wild Population
n/a
Domestic pig in exhibit Endangered Status Graph - Not Listed Endangered Status Graph - Not Listed

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.

Animal Care staff working with seal

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.

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Two Chilean flamingos in exhibit

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.

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Asian small-clawed otter in exhibit

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.

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African penguin eating a fish

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.

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