Pig

Sus scrofa

At the Detroit Zoo
Oliver, a male Vietnamese pot-bellied pig, is a former pet who was donated to the Zoo in 2008. He resides in the Zoo’s Barn with the miniature donkeys and other barnyard animals.

Description
Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs have black skin with scarce hair, short erect ears, short snouts and low abdomens. They have loose skin which gives them a wrinkly appearance.

Fun Facts

  • All domestic pigs have curling tails, unlike their wild relatives who typically have straight tails.

  • Pigs' skin is very sensitive to the sun. To stay cool and protect their skin, they wallow in the mud.

  • Pigs have poor vision but excellent senses of smell and hearing.

  • Pigs are very clean and will keep their toilet area far away from where they sleep and eat.