Piglet vs. Pig — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 25, 2024
A piglet is a young, immature pig, often small and dependent, while a pig is a mature, fully-grown animal, capable of reproduction and reaching larger sizes.
Difference Between Piglet and Pig
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Piglets are the young offspring of pigs, typically characterized by their small size, youthful energy, and dependence on their mother for nourishment and protection. These traits make them distinct from adult pigs, which are fully grown, larger in size, and independent. Young pigs are involved in various roles, from reproduction to being a source of various products for humans.
While piglets are known for their playful behavior and need for warmth and protection, young pigs showcase more independence and can fend for themselves. Piglets rely heavily on their mother's milk for the initial weeks of their life, whereas young pigs have a diverse diet, including grains, fruits, and vegetables.
In terms of utility, piglets are primarily raised to grow into young pigs, which then fulfill various purposes, including meat production, breeding, or even as pets. Young pigs, on the other hand, are directly involved in these roles and are valued for their meat, bristles, and other products.
Piglets require specialized care, including warmth, nutrition, and protection from predators or harsh environments, highlighting their vulnerability. Young pigs, while still needing proper care and nutrition, are more resilient and can adapt to a wider range of environments.
The social behavior of piglets and pigs also differs; piglets tend to stay close to their mother and siblings, forming strong social bonds early on. Young pigs, while social animals, establish more complex hierarchies and interactions within a group, demonstrating their social maturity.
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Comparison Chart
Size and Age
Small, young, and immature
Large, mature, and fully grown
Dependency
Dependent on mother
Independent
Diet
Primarily mother's milk
Diverse, including grains and vegetables
Care Required
Specialized (warmth, nutrition)
General care and nutrition
Compare with Definitions
Piglet
A newly born pig, usually weighing around 1.5 to 2.5 pounds.
The farmer welcomed a litter of piglets this morning.
Pig
A female pig, especially one that has given birth.
The sow cared for her newborn piglets with great attention.
Piglet
A young pig still feeding on its mother's milk.
The piglets huddled around their mother, eagerly suckling.
Pig
A male pig, particularly one kept for breeding.
The large boar was kept separate from the sows except for breeding.
Piglet
The stage where piglets are kept in a nursery after weaning.
The piglets moved to the nursery phase, adjusting to solid food.
Pig
Pigs as a category of farm animals.
The farm's livestock included chickens, cows, and pigs.
Piglet
A piglet that is in the process of being weaned off milk.
At eight weeks old, the piglets were considered weaners.
Pig
A term often used for larger, mature pigs.
The farmer sold several hogs at the market this week.
Piglet
A young pig.
Pig
A pig is any of the animals in the genus Sus, within the even-toed ungulate family Suidae. Pigs include domestic pigs and their ancestor, the common Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa), along with other species.
Piglet
A young pig
Pig
An omnivorous domesticated hoofed mammal with sparse bristly hair and a flat snout for rooting in the soil, kept for its meat.
Piglet
A young pig
Pig
A greedy, dirty, or unpleasant person
I bet he's scoffed them all, greedy pig
Pig
A police officer
Were the pigs there when the windows were smashed or not?
Pig
An oblong mass of iron or lead from a smelting furnace.
Pig
A device which fits snugly inside an oil or gas pipeline and is sent through it to clean or test the inside, or to act as a barrier.
Pig
Gorge oneself with food
Lovesick people pig out on chocolate
Pig
Crowd together with other people in disorderly or dirty conditions
He didn't approve of the proposal to pig it in the studio
Pig
(of a sow) give birth to piglets; farrow.
Pig
Operate a pig within an oil or gas pipeline
They will carry out all trenching and pigging
Pig
Any of various mammals of the family Suidae, having short legs, hooves with two weight-bearing toes, bristly hair, and a cartilaginous snout used for digging, including the domesticated hog (Sus scrofa subsp. domestica syn. S. domesticus) and wild species such as the bushpig.
Pig
A domesticated hog, especially when weighing less than 54 kilograms (120 pounds).
Pig
The edible parts of one of these mammals.
Pig
(Informal) A person regarded as being piglike, greedy, or disgusting.
Pig
Derogatory Slang A police officer.
Pig
A crude block of metal, chiefly iron or lead, poured from a smelting furnace.
Pig
A mold in which such metal is cast.
Pig
Pig iron.
Pig
To give birth to pigs; farrow.
Pig
Any of several mammalian species of the genus Sus, having cloven hooves, bristles and a nose adapted for digging; especially the domesticated animal Sus domesticus.
The man kept a pen with two pigs that he fed everything from carrots to cabbage.
Pig
(uncountable) The edible meat of such an animal; pork.
Some religions prohibit their adherents from eating pig.
Pig
(uncountable) A light pinkish-red colour, like that of a pig (also called pig pink).
Pig
Someone who overeats or eats rapidly and noisily.
You gluttonous pig! Now that you've eaten all the cupcakes, there will be none for the party!
Pig
A dirty or slovenly person.
He was a pig and his apartment a pigpen; take-away containers and pizza boxes in a long, moldy stream lined his counter tops.
Pig
(derogatory) A very obese person.
Pig
A police officer.
The protester shouted, “Don't give in to the pigs!” as he was arrested.
Pig
(informal) A difficult problem.
Hrm... this one's a real pig: I've been banging my head against the wall over it for hours!
Pig
A block of cast metal.
The conveyor carried the pigs from the smelter to the freight cars.
After the ill-advised trade, the investor was stuck with worthless options for 10,000 tons of iron pig.
Pig
The mold in which a block of metal is cast.
The pig was cracked, and molten metal was oozing from the side.
Pig
A lead container used for radioactive waste.
Pig
(engineering) A device for cleaning or inspecting the inside of an oil or gas pipeline, or for separating different substances within the pipeline. Named for the pig-like squealing noise made by their progress.
Unfortunately, the pig sent to clear the obstruction got lodged in a tight bend, adding to the problem.
Pig
The general-purpose M60 machine gun, considered to be heavy and bulky.
Unfortunately, the M60 is about twenty-four pounds and is very unbalanced. You try carrying the pig around the jungle and see how you feel.
Pig
(uncountable) A simple dice game in which players roll the dice as many times as they like, either accumulating a greater score or losing previous points gained.
Pig
A sixpence.
Pig
(Scottish) earthenware, or an earthenware shard
Pig
An earthenware hot-water jar to warm a bed; a stone bed warmer
Pig
(of swine) to give birth.
The black sow pigged at seven this morning.
Pig
(intransitive) To greedily consume (especially food).
They were pigging on the free food at the bar.
Pig
(intransitive) To huddle or lie together like pigs, in one bed.
Pig
(intransitive) To live together in a crowded filthy manner.
Pig
To clean (a pipeline) using a pig the device.
Pig
A piggin.
Pig
The young of swine, male or female; also, any swine; a hog.
Pig
Any wild species of the genus Sus and related genera.
Pig
An oblong mass of cast iron, lead, or other metal. See Mine pig, under Mine.
Pig
One who is hoggish; a greedy person.
Pig
To bring forth (pigs); to bring forth in the manner of pigs; to farrow.
Pig
To huddle or lie together like pigs, in one bed.
Pig
Domestic swine
Pig
A coarse obnoxious person
Pig
A person regarded as greedy and pig-like
Pig
Uncomplimentary terms for a policeman
Pig
Mold consisting of a bed of sand in which pig iron is cast
Pig
A crude block of metal (lead or iron) poured from a smelting furnace
Pig
Live like a pig, in squalor
Pig
Eat greedily;
He devoured three sandwiches
Pig
Give birth;
Sows farrow
Common Curiosities
At what age does a piglet become a pig?
A piglet typically becomes a pig at around 6 months of age, when it reaches maturity.
What is the main difference between a piglet and a pig?
A piglet is a young, immature pig, while a pig is mature and fully grown.
Can piglets eat solid food?
Piglets start eating solid food as they are weaned, usually around 3 to 4 weeks old.
Why are piglets kept in a nursery?
Piglets are kept in a nursery to protect them and manage their diet and health after weaning.
Can piglets be kept as pets?
Yes, piglets can be raised as pets, but they grow into young pigs which require more care.
How long do pigs live?
Pigs can live up to 15-20 years, but commercial pigs often have shorter lifespans.
How do pigs contribute to agriculture?
Pigs provide meat, bristles, and other products, and they can also help in land management.
What challenges do pig farmers face?
Pig farmers must manage health, nutrition, and environmental conditions for both piglets and pigs.
Are piglets social animals?
Yes, piglets are very social and stay close to their mother and siblings.
What makes a boar?
A boar is an young male pig, often kept for breeding purposes.
What is a sow?
A sow is an young female pig, especially one that has given birth.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
