What is the difference between a pig and a boar?
Pig and boar belong to the same family. The word pig is just a term used to refer to a domesticated animal. Many people have different terms they use to refer to this one kind of animal.
It is difficult to tell whether you have seen a pig or a boar. The two are similar to each other although there are some distinctions between the two.
The main difference between a pig and a boar is that a pig is a sow to indicate that it is childbearing while a boar is a non-castrated pig. Although a boar can also be used to mean a wild pig.
Comparison Table (Pig vs Boar)
| Characteristics | Pig | Boar |
| Size | They are comparatively small in body size. | They are larger in body size. |
| Gender | They are female breeds. | They are male breeds. |
| Classification | It is a general term. | It is a type of pig. |
| Habitat | They are domesticated. | They can either be domesticated or wild. |
| Fur | Has fewer bristles. | Has more bristles and fine hair. |
| Color | It is usually pink or black, grey, brown, or mixed coloration. | They are darker grey, black or brown. |
What is a Pig?
Pig is a general term that is used to refer to a genus of domesticated animals. There are more than 10 species of pigs in the world. Most of them are found in Asia, Europe, and North Africa.
Domesticated pigs came from wild boars. Their snout is considered very useful and has a cartilaginous disk at the tip of their snouts.
They are kept for the purpose of meat. Ham, bacon, gammon, and pork can be prepared from the pigs’ meat.
They are usually pink in color although some are black, grey, brown, or a mixture of colors. They are intelligent animals. They have the ability to remember objects and perceiving time.
They are social animals. They travel in groups which normally consist of two females and a young one. They communicate with a variety of grunts and squeaks.
They give birth to offspring twice a year. A litter comprises 12 young ones. They are weaned when they are between 2 to 4 weeks old.
They are omnivores. They feed on both plant matter and meat. They feed on corn, wheat, soy, or barley. On small farms, they are fed on leftovers and fruit peels, and vegetables.
What is a Boar?
Boars are male pigs That have not yet been castrated. They are mostly bred for the purpose of breeding but once it has been castrated it will be bred for the purpose of meat production.
The fur of the boar has more stiff bristles and fine fur. Its color is more of dark grey, black or brown. They have a noticeable ridge of hair running along their backs and longer, straighter legs and heads.
They have strong and massively built bodies with short and thin legs. They have bigger trunks, shorter and thick necks.
Their trunk is used for plowing the ground in order for them to get roots from the ground. They are also omnivores whereby they feed on both plant matter and meat.
They are intelligent, social, and playful animals. They move in groups and this makes it easier for them to defend one another.
Main Differences between Pig and Boar
- Pig is a female animal while boar is a male animal that has not yet been castrated.
- Pig is a general term while boar is a type of pig.
- Pigs have fewer bristles on their fur while boars have more bristles and finer fur.
- Pigs are usually pink in color, black, grey, brown, or a mixture of colors while boar has darker grey, black or brown colors.
- Pigs are comparatively small while boars are larger in body size.
Similarities between Pig and Boar
- They belong to the same species.
- They are both omnivores.
- They both have snouts.
- Both can be kept for meat production.
- Both are intelligent animals.
In Conclusion
The terms pig and boar have been used interchangeably by many people. The two refer to different animals. Pig is a general term used to refer to a genus while boar is a type of pig used to refer to a male pig that has not yet been castrated or wild pig.
The main feature that makes a pig different from boar is gender.
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