The porcine family is one of the most common species among the animals. It is seen as one of the cutest species of animals. The porcine family is commonly referred to as the pig family.
In this family, belong a lot of creatures. Swine, hog and pig are the most common members of the pig family. The word pig is most commonly associated with the word swine. In a similar manner, the word hog is mostly associated with the word pig. Thus, it is seen that there exists a strong connection between these two words.
The word Hog and Pig often tend to confuse most people. Though both these words are very commonly used interchangeably, they do not have the same meaning. There is a major difference between a Hog and a Pig.
Hog vs Pig
The main difference between a Hog and a Pig is that a Hog is generally a term used for a large domestic pig. The weight of the Hog is more than 120 pounds. On the other hand, Pig is a term used for small domestic creatures of the pig family. The weight of a pig is less than 120 pounds.
Comparison Table Between Hog and Pig
| Parameters of Comparison | Hog | Pig |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Hogs have stocky bodies, small eyes, large ears and a flat snout. | Pigs have short legs, bristly hair, cloven hooves, a cartilaginous snout |
| Weight | Hogs weigh more than 120 lbs. | Pigs weigh less than 120 lbs. |
| Size | Hogs are large in size. | Pigs are small in size. |
| Age | Hogs are older than the pigs. | Pigs are not as old as hogs. They are younger |
| Classification | Hogs are usually classified as domestic or wild. | Pigs are mostly domestic species. |
| Slaughter | Hogs are often slaughtered for their meat. | Pigs are not slaughtered because their meat content is low. |
| Market Value | In the market, hogs are often referred to as ‘finished product’, since they are ready to be sold in the market. | In the market, pigs are not sold. This is because of the small age and less weight. |
What is Hog
Hogs are members of the Suidae family. The Suidae family consists of both domestic pigs as well as some other wild species. Hogs are one of the most common mammals from this family.
Hogs have sturdy bodies. Their eyes are small, ears large and tails thin. They have a flat snout. Hogs are omnivores in nature. They are often sold in the market for their meat. The Chinese people started to domesticate these mammals around 6000 years ago. They did because hogs served as a prime source of meat.
Even till date, hogs are one of the top animals that are slaughtered for their meat. Hogs are also used in other areas. They are commonly used in the medical industry. This is because the organs of a hog are quite similar to that of a human being. A lot of medicines and insulin is produced from hogs.
When hogs are left free, they move to the wild at a great speed. They tend to change both in physique, disposition and in temperament. They tend to become more aggressive. Hogs are aged pigs. They weigh more than 120 pounds. They are large in size. Hogs are found in all parts of the world, except in Australia and Antarctica.
They are considered as smart animals that have a good intellectual level. Hogs mostly live in groups. They communicate through short or long grunts.
What is Pig?
A pig is basically a young swine. It is a mammal that has not matured yet. It comes under the Suidae family. The Suidae family has 16 species. The word Pig is mostly used for all domestic swine of the Pig family. They come under the Suidae family. The family comprises of pigs, hogs and boars. All these family members are commonly called swine.
It has been often said that Pigs originated in Southeast Asia. They have been domesticated since 8000 BC. They have been domesticated around the same time as cattle. Pigs are usually not sold in the market because it is of not much use to slaughter to them. This is because they are small in size and do not have much meat.
The common characteristics of a pig are small eyes, short legs, cloven hooves and cartilaginous snouts. The tails are usually curled. They are omnivores in nature. They are smarter than an average 3-year-old kid.
Pigs are light in weight. They weigh less than 54 kgs. They are young creatures. They are most tolerant to colder temperatures. They are not able to sweat due to the lack of sweat glands. They are very social animals and love to form close bonds.
Main Differences Between Hog and Pig
- Hogs belong to the category of both wild and domestic species. On the other hand, pigs are usually domestic animals.
- Hogs are heavier and weigh more than 120 lbs while on the other, Pigs are comparatively lighter and weigh less than 120 lbs.
- The age of Hogs is always more than pigs, while on the other hand the age of Pigs is always less than hogs.
- Hogs are slaughtered so that their meat could be used. On the other hand, the meat content of pigs is low, so they are not slaughtered.
- The size of Hogs is larger than that of pigs, while on the other hand, pigs are smaller animals when compared to the size of Pigs.
Conclusion
Hogs and Pigs are the most popular members of the Suidae family. Both of these are mammals, with similar characteristics and behavior. They are so similar in nature that people often find it difficult to distinguish between the two terms.
However, a hog is different from a pig, as a hog is greater in size and age, while a pig is smaller and lesser in age. Hogs are often sold in the market because of their high meat content whereas on the other hand pigs are not sold in the market, due to their low meat content.
References
https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/293125/files/vt-0024.PDF