Guinea Hogs

Zoo Knoxville’s Kids’ Cove is not just a fun place to play, it’s also home to some very unique heritage breeds of livestock. You can find our two male Guinea Hogs chilling in the mud or even playing with one of several objects provided for their mental stimulation.

Did You Know?

Habitat
Domestic Farms
Lifespan
10-15 Years
Conservation Status
Threatened
Weight
200, 100 lbs Males, females respectively

Location

Primarily Southeastern United States

Kept by homesteaders in the late 19th century, their small size meant that Guinea hogs foraged for their own food, eating such things as grasses, acorns, rodents, and even snakes! As homesteading began to disappear, so did the Guinea Hog. In the 1980s, dedicated breeders took an interest to save them from extinction.

Watch the Video

Celebrating Heritage Breeds Week

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