The classification of living things relies on taxonomy, a system that moves beyond common, regional names to ensure scientists worldwide discuss the exact same organism. Taxonomy provides a universal, two-part scientific name for every species, guaranteeing precision in biological communication. The common domestic pig, a familiar part of human agriculture for millennia, is no exception. Understanding its classification reveals its identity and its evolutionary relationship to its wild ancestors.
The Scientific Name of the Domestic Pig
The scientific name for the domestic pig is Sus scrofa domesticus. This trinomial name consists of three parts, reflecting its status as a domesticated subspecies of a wild animal. The first part, the genus, is Sus, which is the Latin word for “pig” or “swine.”
The second part, the species designation, is scrofa, referring to the wild boar, the direct ancestor of the domestic pig. The third term, domesticus, is the subspecies name that highlights the animal’s domesticated nature, distinguishing it from its wild relatives.
In scientific writing, the genus name is always capitalized, while the species and subspecies names are written in lowercase and italicized. Some taxonomic authorities simplify the name to Sus domesticus, classifying it as a distinct species due to physical and genetic changes from selective breeding. Regardless of this variation, the genus Sus remains constant, placing the domestic pig within the group of true pigs and boars.
Distinguishing Domestic Pigs from Wild Relatives
The domestic pig is fundamentally derived from the Eurasian Wild Boar, Sus scrofa. Pigs were first domesticated from these wild ancestors in the Near East and China approximately 8,000 to 11,400 years ago. The two populations remain genetically compatible and can interbreed, which is why many taxonomists maintain the subspecies classification under the single species Sus scrofa.
The process of domestication has resulted in significant morphological differences between the two animals. Wild boars possess a muscular, wedge-shaped body, massive forequarters, a large head, and a long, straight tail. Their skulls are also longer and more pointed than those of domestic pigs.
Domestic pigs have been selectively bred for traits beneficial to humans. This breeding resulted in a more rounded body, a shorter facial region, and the characteristic curly tail seen in most breeds. These physical distinctions allow researchers to separate the remains of the two forms, often relying on skull and body criteria. Domestic pigs have also lost wild traits, such as a thick coat of fur and the acute sense of smell found in their wild counterpart.
The Broader Pig Family (Suidae)
The domestic pig and the wild boar belong to the biological family Suidae, which encompasses all true pigs, hogs, and swine. This family is part of the order Artiodactyla, the even-toed ungulates. All members of Suidae are native to the Old World, with natural ranges spanning across Afro-Eurasia.
The family Suidae includes 18 extant species classified into several genera. Beyond the genus Sus, other notable members include the Warthog, classified under the genus Phacochoerus. Warthogs, such as the Common Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus), are known for their distinctive facial tusks and warts.
Another member is the Babirusa, found in Indonesia and belonging to the genus Babyrousa. Males of this genus are characterized by their upper canine teeth growing upward through the top of the snout. These species share the omnivorous diet and rooting behavior common to all suids, demonstrating the broad evolutionary adaptations within the family.