Scientific Classification

Common Name

pot-bellied pig, Chinese pot-bellied pig, Asian pot-bellied pig

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Mammalia

Order

Artiodactyla

Family

Suidae

Genus Species

Sus (pig) scrofa (breeding sow)

Fast Facts

Description

The pot-bellied pig has black skin with scarce hair, short erect ears and a short snout. It also has a sagging abdomen and the very loose skin gives a wrinkled appearance. A true pot-bellied pig has a straight tail that attaches high on the rump. If the tails curls at all, this is a sign of cross breeding.

Size

Approximate shoulder height of 35 to 45 cm (14 to 18 in.)

Weight

Up to 67.5 kg (150 lbs.)

Diet

Omnivores - includes grasses, eggs, frogs, snakes, and fish

Incubation

Gestation lasts approximately 114 days; usually has 6 piglets

Sexual Maturity

Approximately 5 to 7 months

Life Span

10 to 20 years, is able to live to 30 years

Range

Southeast Asia

Habitat

Inhabits open woodlands

Population

Global: Common

Status 

IUCN: Not listed
CITES: Not listed
USFWS: Not listed

Fun Facts

1. Pigs' skin lacks hair, so they are very sensitive to the sun. In the wild they wallow in the mud to stay cool and protect their skin.
2. Pigs use their snout for rutting and foraging.
3. Vietnamese pot-bellied's are a sub-species of the common pig, probably descended from a Chinese ancestor.
4. Pigs have poor vision but excellent senses of smell and hearing.
5. In the wild, they may form herds of considerable numbers, one herd keeping its distance from others. Herd members communicate with a variety of squeaks, grunts, gurgles and other sounds, including different sneezes.
6. The origin of the piggy bank in American society probably dates back to ancient China. Emperor Huang-Ti invented the Chinese calendar in 2367 B.C. and gave each year an animal representative. The year of the pig represents prosperity.

Ecology and Conservation

Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs are popular pets due to their smaller size, lack of shedding, and tough skin, which resists fleas and parasites. They can be trained to the same extent as a dog and can even be house broken.

Pigs in general help turn over soil, promoting new plant growth.

Bibliography

Grzimek, B. Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia. Vol. 13  New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1972.

Huckaby. L. Pot-bellied Pigs and Other Miniature Pet Pigs. TFH Pub., NJ., 1992.

Honolulu Zoo. http://www.honoluluzoo.org/potbellied_pig.htm

Santa Barbara Zoo. http://www.santabarbarazoo.org/animals/mammals/vietpig.html