This weeks, hooved animal is the pig also called swine or hog, is an omnivorous, domesticated, even-toed, hoofed mammal. It is named the domestic pig when distinguishing it from other members of the genus Sus. Some authorities consider it a subspecies of Sus scrofa; other authorities consider it a distinct species.

Including outbred and inbred breeds, there are currently approximately 730 pig breeds or lines worldwide of which two-thirds reside in China and Europe and over 270 are considered as being endangered or at critical levels.

                            Wild Boar

The most common pig species in the world is the wild boar (Sus scrofa ). This species is also known as the common wild pig and is native to Eurasia and North Africa. It has been introduced to the Americas and Oceania as well. 

The most common pig breeds in Australia are the Duroc, Landrace, and Large White. These breeds are commonly used in commercial pork production and are often crossbred to create hybrids with desirable traits.  Here is a little more about these three.

                          Landrace

Duroc: This breed is known for its fast growth rates, good maternal abilities, and excellent carcase quality. 

Landrace: Landrace pigs are known for their large litters and good mothering skills. 

Large White: This breed is a popular choice for meat production due to its lean carcass and fast growth rate. 

While other breeds like Berkshire, Hampshire, and Tamworth are also available, they are generally less common than the Duroc, Landrace, and Large White. Many commercial producers choose to utilize crossbreeding to benefit from the strengths of multiple breeds, resulting in pigs with desirable characteristics like faster growth rates, leaner carcasses, and higher litter sizes. 

                        American Yorkshire    

The most-recorded breed of swine in North America, is the Yorkshires which are white with erect ears. They are found in almost every state, with the highest populations being in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska and Ohio. Yorkshires are known for their muscle, with a high proportion of lean meat and low backfat.

The British Landrace is one of the most common pig breeds in the UK. It’s a pink breed known for its heavy, drooping ears that cover most of its face. Other popular breeds include the Welsh pig and the Berkshire pig. 

The most common pig in Asia, both in terms of wild and domestic populations, is the wild boar (Sus scrofa). While domestic pigs are also prevalent, particularly in regions like China, the wild boar remains the most widespread native species in the continent

                                                           Visayan Warty

The Visayan warty pig is the rarest pig in the world and there are fewer than 200 left in the wild.

This week we are looking at the Sierra Nevada red fox. 

Then we have the Sierra Nevada red fox which is found in the mountainous regions of California’s Sierra Nevada, it is also considered endangered. It is threatened by unpredictable events like wildfire and drought, competition with coyotes, and hybridization with non-native foxes, as well as habitat loss from logging and livestock grazing, disturbance by recreational vehicles, and climate change.

The Sonora Pass population of the Sierra Nevada red fox may be one of the most endangered species in the U.S. When FWS listed this population as endangered in 2021, the agency estimated that as few as 39 individuals may remain in the wild.

They appear to be opportunistic predators and foragers, with a diet primarily composed of small rodents. Their favorite foods are hares and gophers, but they also eat manzanita berries and deer carrion, particularly in winter and spring.

They have a small, slender body and legs; long, pointed ears; an elongated snout; and a long, white-tipped tail. They’re typically smaller than lowland red fox subspecies, with males weighing up to 9.2 pounds and measuring up to 3.4 feet long and females up to 7.7 pounds and 3.2 feet.

The biggest difference between it and the Red Fox is the Sierra Nevada red fox’s specialized adaptations for cold and snow. They have well-furred paws as part of their winter coat, longer hind legs and are slightly smaller.

They mate between December and March, with most mating occurring in January and February. They are believed to be monogamous. 

They are sexually mature at 10 months they have a gestation period of 52–54 days, they can give birth to litters of 1–12 kits, with an average of 3–6 kits they are born in early to mid-April the pups move outside the den by June and are dependent on parents for 6 months.

They prepare multiple dens after mating and may share a burrow with another pair.

A conservation strategy is being developed to help recover the Sierra Nevada red fox. The strategy includes translocations and introducing other alpine foxes to support breeding.

The Forest Service, Park Service, and Department of Defence have resource management plans to minimize forest fragmentation.