Mulefoot
Encyclopedia
Mulefoot are a breed of domestic pig
which is named for its solid, non-cloven hooves reminiscent of a mule
. These pigs are typically black, on rare occasions having white spots, and typically reach a weight of 400-600 pounds by the age of two years.
Mulefoot hogs likely originated with the hogs brought to the Gulf Coast by the Spanish; however, exactly when they originated as a syndactyl animal is not clear. One apparent benefit to raising one-toed animals is the elimination of hoof rot
, which affects the area of an animal's hoof between the toes.
While this breed flourished during the early half of the century, by 1985 only one herd of Mulefoot hogs remained, belonging to Mr. R.M. Holliday of Louisiana, Missouri
. At present, populations of Mulefoot hogs are considered by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
to be critically rare, as there are now fewer than 150 documented purebred Mulefoot hogs in existence.
Maveric Ranch took over conservatorship of the Mulefoot Breed in 2006. To date they have placed breeding groups on over 40 farms across the US. Things are looking up for this once critically endangered breed.
Domestic pig
The domestic pig is a domesticated animal that traces its ancestry to the wild boar, and is considered a subspecies of the wild boar or a distinct species in its own right. It is likely the wild boar was domesticated as early as 13,000 BC in the Tigris River basin...
which is named for its solid, non-cloven hooves reminiscent of a mule
Mule
A mule is the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse. Horses and donkeys are different species, with different numbers of chromosomes. Of the two F1 hybrids between these two species, a mule is easier to obtain than a hinny...
. These pigs are typically black, on rare occasions having white spots, and typically reach a weight of 400-600 pounds by the age of two years.
Mulefoot hogs likely originated with the hogs brought to the Gulf Coast by the Spanish; however, exactly when they originated as a syndactyl animal is not clear. One apparent benefit to raising one-toed animals is the elimination of hoof rot
Foot rot
Foot rot, or infectious pododermatitis, is a hoof infection commonly found in sheep, goats, and cattle. As the name suggests, it rots away the foot of the animal, more specifically the area between the two toes of the affected animal. It is extremely painful and contagious. It can be treated with...
, which affects the area of an animal's hoof between the toes.
While this breed flourished during the early half of the century, by 1985 only one herd of Mulefoot hogs remained, belonging to Mr. R.M. Holliday of Louisiana, Missouri
Louisiana, Missouri
Louisiana is a city in Pike County, Missouri, United States. The population was 3,863 at the 2000 census, making it the largest city in Pike Couunty. Louisiana is located in northeast Missouri, on the Mississippi River south of Hannibal....
. At present, populations of Mulefoot hogs are considered by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy is a nonprofit organization focused on preserving and promoting genetic diversity among rare breeds of livestock...
to be critically rare, as there are now fewer than 150 documented purebred Mulefoot hogs in existence.
Maveric Ranch took over conservatorship of the Mulefoot Breed in 2006. To date they have placed breeding groups on over 40 farms across the US. Things are looking up for this once critically endangered breed.