Pigs: From Wild Boars to Domesticated Swine

Intelligent Farm Animal.

Pigs are one of the oldest and most widespread domesticated animals in the world. They have been raised for meat, leather, bristles, and other products for thousands of years. But how did they become domesticated? And how did they spread across the globe? Here is a brief history of pigs and their evolution.

The Origins of Pigs

Pigs belong to the genus Sus, which includes several species of wild boars and their relatives. The wild boar (Sus scrofa) is the ancestor of most domesticated pigs today. It is native to Eurasia and North Africa, and has a wide range of habitats, from forests and grasslands to deserts and mountains.

The wild boar is a large and powerful animal, with a long snout, tusks, bristles, and a tail. It is omnivorous, feeding on plants, fruits, nuts, roots, insects, worms, eggs, reptiles, amphibians, rodents, and carrion. It is also social, living in groups called sounders that consist of females and their offspring. Males are usually solitary or form smaller groups.

The wild boar has a long history of interaction with humans. It was hunted for food and sport by many ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Celts, Germans, and Chinese. It was also revered as a symbol of strength, courage, fertility, and abundance by some cultures. For example, the Celtic god Moccus was associated with the wild boar.

The Domestication of Pigs

Pigs were separately domesticated in China beginning 8,000 years ago¹, and in Europe and the Near East beginning 6,000 years ago². The exact process and reasons for domestication are not fully understood, but it is likely that humans captured young wild boars and raised them in captivity for meat and other products.

The domesticated pigs gradually diverged from their wild ancestors in appearance and behavior. They became smaller, fatter, less hairy, more docile, more fertile, and more varied in color and shape. They also developed a closer bond with humans and became more dependent on them for food and shelter.

The domesticated pigs were selectively bred for different traits and purposes by different cultures. For example, some pigs were bred for fast growth and lean meat (such as the Yorkshire), some for hardiness and Lard Production (such as the Berkshire), some for woolly coats (such as the Mangalitsa), some for curly tails (such as the Hampshire), and some for large ears (such as the Large Black).

The Spread of Pigs

Pigs were one of the first animals to be transported by humans across long distances. They were brought by sea or land to various regions and continents where they adapted to different climates and environments.

Some of the earliest pig migrations include:

• Pigs were brought to the Americas by Columbus in 1493³, DeSoto in 1539⁴, and other early explorers. They were used as food sources and as gifts to native peoples. Some pigs escaped or were released into the wild and became feral. They interbred with native peccaries (a type of pig-like animal) and formed large populations that are still present today.
• Pigs were brought to Australia by European settlers in the late 18th century. They were used for food and as hunting companions. Some pigs escaped or were released into the wild and became feral. They caused extensive damage to native flora and fauna and are considered an invasive species.
• Pigs were brought to Africa by Arab traders in the early centuries AD. They were used for food and trade. Some pigs escaped or were released into the wild and became feral. They interbred with native warthogs (a type of wild boar) and formed hybrid populations that are still present today.
• Pigs were brought to Hawaii by Polynesian voyagers in the early centuries AD. They were used for food and as offerings to gods. Some pigs escaped or were released into the wild and became feral. They are considered a sacred animal by some native Hawaiians.

Pigs have also been introduced to many islands around the world by humans for various reasons. Some examples include:

• Pigs were introduced to New Zealand by Captain Cook in 1773. They were used for food and as gifts to native Maori. Some pigs escaped or were released into the wild and became feral. They are hunted for sport and meat by some people.
• Pigs were introduced to the Galapagos Islands by whalers and pirates in the 18th and 19th centuries. They were used for food and as bait for hunting tortoises. Some pigs escaped or were released into the wild and became feral. They caused severe damage to native plants and animals and threatened the survival of endemic species. They were eradicated by a conservation project in 2006.
• Pigs were introduced to Fiji by European missionaries in the 19th century. They were used for food and as gifts to native Fijians. Some pigs escaped or were released into the wild and became feral. They are considered a pest and a delicacy by some people.

Pigs have become one of the most widespread and successful domesticated animals in the world. They have been raised for meat, leather, bristles, and other products for thousands of years. They have also become part of the culture, religion, art, literature, and folklore of many peoples. They are not only a source of food, but also a source of joy and inspiration.

I hope you enjoyed this blog post about the history of pigs.

 Thank you for reading!

Source:

(1) Pig - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pig.

(2) A Brief History of the Pig in the United States. https://smallfarms.cornell.edu/2019/10/a-brief-history-of-the-pig-in-the-united-states/.

(3) History of Heritage Pigs - The Livestock Conservancy. https://livestockconservancy.org/heritage-swine/historypigs/.

(4) History of Pork - Texas Pork Producers Association. https://texaspork.org/history-of-pork/.

Image Attribution: kallerna, Pig farm Vampula 9, CC BY-SA 4.0

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