Suidae

Suidae is a family of mostly terrestrial, omnivorous mammals in the order Artiodactyla that includes domestic pigs and their wild relatives. The group comprises several genera, including Sus (pigs and boars), Phacochoerus (warthogs), Potamochoerus (bushpigs and the red river hog), Babyrousa (babirusas), Hylochoerus (the giant forest hog), and Porcula (the pygmy hog). Together they occupy a wide range of habitats in Africa and Asia, with domestic pigs found worldwide.

Members of Suidae range from medium to large in size, with stocky bodies, elongated snouts, and prominent tusks formed by the canine teeth. Their dentition is generally bunodont, reflecting an omnivorous diet. Diets vary by species and season, including roots, tubers, fruits, small animals, invertebrates, and carrion. Social structures are diverse: some species form stable groups, while boars may be more solitary outside the breeding season. Reproduction is typically polygynous; females give birth to litters after a gestation of about 114 days, with piglets nursing and learning foraging skills from adults.

Domestication of the wild boar (Sus scrofa) occurred in Eurasia, with evidence for multiple centers of domestication and selective breeding leading to a vast array of breeds. Domestic pigs are now raised globally for meat, byproducts, and, in some cultures, cultural or economic significance.

Conservation status varies by species. While some suids are common or abundant, others face habitat loss, hunting pressure, or population declines, such as certain babirusa and pygmy hog populations. Suidae play notable ecological roles as seed dispersers and as part of many tropical and temperate ecosystems.