Mulefoot Pig

Facts about Mulefoot Pigs, Mulefoot Pigs are domestic pigs which derives their name from their intact feet. Their feet have hooves that resemble those of a mule. The "Mulefoot Pig" are known to be black in color though in some instances, you may get some that have white marks. The origin of mulefoot pigs is not very clear though according to some records, Spanish took them to Gulf Coast. Nobody knows the exact date or the year that they originated, but their some researchers who think that it in the 15th century.

Mulefoot pigs are the only breeds with single hooves found to be in existence in the 20th century. Other breeds are only found on records, no one knows whether they exist or not, though scientist still believe that maybe some exist but were never recorded. The Mulefoot Pigs are probably related to the Choctaw pigs and this again is according to records. The Mulefoot Pig are believed to share the same ancestors though not clearly proven as for the time of recording.

Mulefoot pigs differ in weight. Male Mulefoot Pig are considered to be heavier than the sows. Male Mulefoot Pig weighing around 550 lbs (250 kg) and female Mulefoot Pig weighing about 440 lbs (200 kg) when mature. The Mulefoot Pig sows are good mothers and take care of their young ones ensuring that they are fed and protected. Unlike some other breeds that are disease resistant, diseases like hog cholera mostly attack Mulefoot pigs. Maybe this is one of the reasons that this breed is hardy.

The Mulefoot Pig do well in a places that have plenty food. If you compare when they are kept in pig houses and when they are left free ranging, you will realize that the Mulefoot Pig grow well when left free. The Mulefoot Pig mostly feed on roughage though other farm by-products are okay. For the farmers who have kept the Mulefoot Pig for rearing, confess that these pigs are heavy feeders. But fortunately the Mulefoot Pig know how to forage thus making maintenance easier. About their ability to tolerate several conditions, it is not clearly known.

During the 19th Century, breeding of the Mulefoot Pig increased. The Mulefoot Pig were able to fatten quickly thus preferred by many for meat production. This is not the only reason for rearing them because their hams are sold. The hams are very expensive according to some market research.

Mulefoot Pigs are very intelligent, not like people think, that pigs are dumb animals. A Mulefoot Pig can drink between 10 to 14 gallons (37.8 to 53 liters)of water in a day. Mulefoot Pigs are omnivores like humans, an omnivores, (definition-they eat both other animals and plants). The Mulefoot Pig snout is its most important tool for finding food. The Mulefoot Pigs snout is used for their excellent sense of smell.

In the 20th Century, the Mulefoot Pig were exported to several countries who wanted to keep them for their sweet meat. One of these countries is Canada. Unfortunately, in Canada the population never increased because they never imported in large numbers and they only took a manageable size. In United States, the Mulefoot Pig are found in areas like Mississippi especially around the River.

Agricultural societies have done some research which concluded that the Mulefoot Pig breed does not exist anymore. According to their report, the last records were taken back in 1976 and as from there nothing has ever been recorded. But this is contrary to others who believes that as in 2006, the Mulefoot Pig were around 200 in United States. Nothing much is known about their existence as from today but others believe that maybe the Mulefoot Pig have cross breeds. Nothing has been written about the cross breed though.

Mulefoot Pigs are raised for there meat such as ham, sausage, bacon and pork chops. Pigs can make great pets. A wild male pig is called a (boar)- meaning uncastrated male pig, that lives in the wild and can be hunted. Feral pigs (means wild) can be a very big danger where humans habitat. Mulefoot Pigs have small lungs compared to their body size.

The term Swine: is any variety of omnivorous, even-toed ungulates of the family Suidae, this includes hogs, boars and pigs having a short neck, thick skin a movable snout and a stout body.

Mulefoot Pigs unlike is said, happen to be very clean animals. Mulefoot Pigs make sure their bathroom area is far away from where they eat, lie down and rest, even piglets (baby pigs) will find a place to go to the bathroom, far away from their nest. A Mulefoot Pig averages 6 to 10 baby piglets in a litter and will have two to three litters per year

Mulefoot Pigs have 44 teeth when full grown, when they are baby pigs (piglets) the have 28 teeth which will fall out when they are 12 months old. Just like human teeth, the Mulefoot Pig has an enamel coating that makes the pigs teeth stronger and helps it curb disease. Mulefoot Pigs chew their food because pigs have a digestive system similar to a human digestive system and cannot digest food that is not chewed.

A female adult pig is called a (sow) and the male adult pig is called a (boar). Mulefoot Pigs do not sweat a lot, that's why they cover themselves in the mud to keep their bodies cool. The expression "sweating like a pig" comes from a reference to pig iron, which comes form iron smelting.

The scientific name for Pig (Sus scrofa), the wild swine (Boar) from the old world with a narrow body and prominent tusks is from where most domestic swine come from and introduced in the United States and bred to what we have as today's pig. The "fear of pigs Swinophobia".

The saliva of Mulefoot Pigs contains pheromones-( A chemical substance used to attract a mate) similar to that of other pig breeds that communicate their sexual wants. The male Mulefoot Pigs discharge this steroid and female pigs will go to vast lengths to acquire a smell of the stuff.