Domestic pig (Sus scrofa domesticus)

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Photo by DanielePralong

Published on Project Noah

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Field Notes

Description:

A farmyard favourite. This pig is one of the luckier ones, and was spotted roaming free-range with his mates around a small alpine farm.

Habitat:

Farming facilities, yards, fields.

Notes:

It is believed that the domestic pig's ancestor, the wild boar, was domesticated as early as 13,000 BC in the Tigris River basin. Pigs are intelligent animals and can be trained similarly to dogs. For example they can be trained to find truffles.

Reference Links:

Domestic pig

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (22)

Jeannette

I know, sorry ;-P I just love to see animals that normally are kept inside running around outdoors :)

DanielePralong

You started it all Jeanette:-) I added this spotting before the Captive Animals mission was created, but I will now join the mission and add it to it.

Jeannette

The happy pig that got all famous :) I normally use the mission captive animals to indicate that it is captive, but maybe it is a good idea to change the category :)

DanielePralong

Thank you all for your comments! I am glad this spotting started this debate and may help to clarify some issues. A pet is an animal kept for company, whereas domesticated animals are generally kept for more utilitarian purposes (in that case, meat production). Of course a pet is "domesticated" as well. I could totally have a pig as pet, but this animal wasn't one. The category "domesticated animals" does not exist on Noah, and it is unlikely to get created as this is not the focus of this site. Peter has suggested that in the future we will have a box which can be ticked indicating "captive" for all zoo, pet and domesticated animals. I normally don't post domesticated species or pets here; I did it in this case because this pig was actually free to roam and shared a habitat with some of the wild species I saw on this hike. The genus and species are also idetical to that of the wild boars which can be seen in the same habitat.

Jeannette

Lars I undestand that, but if it is as he says the zoo animals also should be catagorized as pets... Or maybe I don't understand it...

LarsKorb

Jeannette - Ashish was trying to point out that domestic animals should be categorized differently to wild ones. Since an appropriate category is missing, the only option is to put them into "pets" or "other" - and "pets" apeears to be the more appropriate section due to the connection to humans.

Jeannette

@ Bayucca Even if your second name was Clooney You would still be a bit Looney ;-P

Jeannette

@ Ashish, is there a place on the sight where the pet category is explained, if it is correct that all animals in human possesion is to te catagorized as pets, then all the photos of zoo animals should as well...

ShannaB

I agree, LarsKorb. It's not a pet, but it's not really 'wildlife' either.

LarsKorb

A domestic category might help here...

ShannaB

I don't think I'd classify it as a pet either... If it was being raised in the backyard and being fed beer Gordon-Ramsay-style to enhance its eventual flavour, I might call it a pet. But a random spotting of a farmed animal in a paddock... not a pet.

Ashish

@Jeannette.. All organisms under Human possession are categorized as Pet. This one is not wild and its tag on ear indicated its Pet. Since long ago may be since Stone age many animals are survived under Human possession and they are depend on Human colonies. This Pig is looked to be rared for Human benefit.

bayucca

Ätsch! Yes, good argument about pets! Since my second name is not Clooney I would not put it in pets.

Jeannette

You lost me :) Ashish, I don't think it's a pet... You normally don't eat your pets...

bayucca

Dere isch sauwohl!

Jeannette

@ Bayucca Ja, es ist offensichtlich :)

Ashish

Daniele.. Category must be Pet as this one look under possession of Human..!!

bayucca

Die geniesst das so richtig!!