Suidae is afamily ofartiodactyl mammals which are commonly calledpigs,hogs, orswine. In addition to numerous fossil species, 18extant species are currently recognized (or 19 counting domestic pigs and wild boars separately), classified into between four and eightgenera. Within this family, the genusSus includes thedomestic pig,Sus scrofa domesticus orSus domesticus, and many species of wild pig from Europe to the Pacific. Other genera includebabirusas andwarthogs. Allsuids, or swine, are native to theOld World, ranging acrossAfro-Eurasia.
The earliestfossil suids date from theOligocene epoch in Asia, and their descendants reached Europe during theMiocene.[1] Several fossil species are known and show adaptations to a wide range of different diets, from strictherbivory to possible carrion-eating (inTetraconodontinae).[2]
Suids belong to theorderArtiodactyla, and are generally regarded as the living members of that order most similar to the ancestral form. Unlike most other members of the order, they have four hooves on each foot, although they walk only on the middle two digits, with the others staying clear of the ground. They also have a simple stomach, rather than the more complexruminant stomach found in most other artiodactyl families.[3]
They are small to medium animals, varying in size from 58 to 66 cm (23 to 26 in) in length, and 6 to 9 kg (13 to 20 lb) in weight in the case of thepygmy hog, to 130–210 cm (4.3–6.9 ft) and 100–275 kg (220–606 lb) in thegiant forest hog.[4] They have large heads and short necks, with relatively small eyes and prominent ears. Their heads have a distinctive snout, ending in a disc-shaped nose. Suids typically have a bristly coat, and a short tail ending in a tassle.[citation needed] The males possess a corkscrew-shaped penis, which fits into a similarly shaped groove in the female'scervix.[5][6][7]
Suids have a well-developed sense of hearing, and are vocal animals, communicating with a series of grunts, squeals, and similar sounds. They also have an acute sense of smell. Many species are omnivorous, eating grass, leaves, roots, insects, worms, and even frogs or mice. Other species are more selective and purely herbivorous.[3]
Their teeth reflect their diet, and suids retain the upperincisors, which are lost in most other artiodactyls. The canine teeth are enlarged to form prominent tusks, used for rooting in moist earth or undergrowth, and in fighting. They have only a shortdiastema. The number of teeth varies between species, but the generaldental formula is:1–3.1.2–4.3030.1.020.3.
Suids are intelligent and adaptable animals. Adult females (sows) and their young travel in a group (sounder; seeList of animal names), while adult males (boars) are either solitary, or travel in small bachelor groups. Males generally are not territorial, and come into conflict only during the mating season.
Litter size varies between one and twelve, depending on the species. The mother prepares a grass nest or similar den, which the young leave after about ten days. Suids areweaned at around three months, and become sexually mature at 18 months. In practice, however, male suids are unlikely to gain access to sows in the wild until they have reached their full physical size, at around four years of age. In all species, the male is significantly larger than the female, and possesses more prominent tusks.[3]
^Palmer, D., ed. (1999).The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals. London: Marshall Editions. p. 269.ISBN1-84028-152-9.
^Wilson, Don E.; Mittermeier, Russell A., eds. (2011).Handbook of the Mammal Species of the World, vol. 2. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. pp. 274–291.ISBN978-8496553774.
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