Miniature pig

Miniature pig
An adult Göttingen Minipig
Conservation statusDOM
Traits
  • Pig
  • Sus domesticus

Miniature pigs, also called mini pigs or micro pigs, are small breeds of domestic pig.

All domesticated pigs are descended from the European or Asian wild boar.[1] They reach sexual maturity at four to eight months and must be castrated if they are kept together with the opposite sex. They reach their full height at four years of age. Depending on the breed, they reach up to 50 cm (20 in) at the shoulder and are up to 1 meter (3 ft 3 in) long. Mini pigs weigh up to 150 pounds (68 kg) and live around 15 years.[2] Miniature pigs can usually be distinguished from other pigs by their pot belly, a swayed back, a chubby figure, a rounded head, a short snout, short legs, a short neck, and a tail with thick hair at the end.[3]

Terms like "teacup", "micro-mini" and "nano-pig" are advertising, not real breeds.[3]

  1. ^ V. Porter: Pigs – A handbook to the breeds of the world. Helm Information, Mountfield 1993, ISBN 1-873403-17-8.
  2. ^ Der kleine Ratgeber Das Minischwein, Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien, Februar 2011, PDF
  3. ^ a b "Basic Information Sheet: Miniature Pig". 20 July 2019.