Vietnamese Pot-Bellied Pig

Physical Description

Vietnamese Pot Bellied Pigs are about 3 feet long and weigh anywhere from 70 to 175 lbs. They are usually all black with straight tails and upright ears. They get their name “Pot Bellied” because of their rounded, low hanging belly. Both genders have tusks, but males will have larger tusks.

Predators

One surprising natural predator of Vietnamese Pot Bellied Pigs is dogs.

Lifespan

In the wild, they live approximately 10 years, but in human care, they live about 15 to 20 years.

Reproduction

A male pig is called a boar, and a female that gives birth is called a sow. After a gestation period of approximately 115 days, the female will give birth to an average of 6 piglets.

Fun Facts

• Pigs can actually be trained like dogs because they are also highly intelligent and have excellent recall and concentration.
• Pigs will roll around or wallow in mud in order to stay cool but also to protect their skin from the sun and insects.

Conservation Messaging

Goats as well as barnyard animals are commonly kept as pets on farms and ranches. It is always best to do your research before moving forward with purchasing any livestock. These animals require different needs from say your dog or cat.

For instance, most livestock animals are herd animals so having one is not an acceptable option. As always, every animal has individual needs that must be met in order to provide the best possible welfare which means you will need a veterinarian that specializes in hoofstock.