There are several key differences between a pig and a boar. For one, pigs are typically smaller than boars. Pigs also tend to be lighter in color, while boars are usually darker. Most importantly, pigs are typically used for food, while boars are used for breeding. So what’s the difference? Let’s take a closer look.
What is Pig?
A pig is any of the animals in the genus Sus, within the even-toed ungulate family Suidae. Pigs include the domestic pig and its ancestor, the common Eurasian wild boar, along with other species.
- Related creatures outside the genus include the peccary, the babirusa, and the warthog. Pigs are native to Eurasia, and trained domesticated pigs have been used for hunting since prehistoric times. Domestic pigs are commonly kept as pets in Western cultures today.
- Pigs are intelligent animals and can be trained to perform various tricks and tasks. They are social animals and live in groups called sounders. A typical sounder consists of 6 to 20 pigs. Pigs that are well-cared for can live up to 20 years.
- Pigs are omnivores and eat a variety of things including roots, tubers, fruits, mushrooms, grasses, leaves, insects, and small animals. Pigs root around in the ground with their noses to find food.
This helps to turn over the soil which helps aerate it and promote plant growth. For this reason, pigs are sometimes used as agricultural beasts of burden in certain areas of the world where they are not considered edible.
What is Boar?
- Native to Europe, Asia, and Africa, the wild boar is a bulky, powerful pig that has been hunted since ancient times. The boar is a muscular animal with a thick neck, short legs, and a large head. Its coat is usually black or brown, but can also be reddish or yellow.
- Wild boars are social animals that live in groups called sounders. These groups typically consist of 10-20 individuals but can be as large as 100. Boars are omnivorous animals that feed on a variety of plant and animal matter.
- They are particularly fond of roots, acorns, and other mast, but will also eat insects, small mammals, and reptiles. In recent years, the wild boar has become a nuisance in many parts of the world, as it often wanders into cultivated fields and destroys crops. In some areas, hunters are paid to thin out the population. However, in other places, boar is considered a delicacy, and its meat is highly prized.
Differences between Pig and Boar
Pigs and boar are both members of the Sus scrofa species, but there are some important differences between them. For one, pigs are typically much smaller than boars, with adult pigs weighing in at around 300 pounds while adult boars can weigh up to 700 pounds. Pigs also have shorter, straighter snouts than boars, and their tails are usually curly or kinked.
In terms of behavior, pigs are generally considered to be more even-tempered than boars, which can be aggressive and dangerous. Finally, pigs are typically kept as domestic animals while boars are usually found in the wild. These differences may seem small, but they can make a big difference in the way these two animals look and behave.
Conclusion
Pigs and boars are both animals that are used for their meat, but there are some distinct differences between the two. For one, pigs are much smaller than boars. Boars also have a thicker coat of hair, whereas pigs have very little hair. Finally, boars tend to be more aggressive than pigs. While they may both be used for their meat, there are some key distinctions between these two animals that you should know before you choose which one to raise on your farm.
