Hogzilla facts for kids
Hogzilla was the name given to a very large pig that became famous in 2004. Its name comes from combining "hog" (another word for pig) and "Godzilla" (a giant movie monster).
This huge male pig was a mix of a wild hog and a farm pig. It was shot by Chris Griffin on June 17, 2004, in Alapaha, Georgia, United States. It was found on Ken Holyoak's fish farm and hunting land.
The Story of Hogzilla
When Hogzilla was first found, people claimed it was incredibly big. They said it was about 12 feet (3.7 m) long and weighed more than 1,000 pounds (450 kg). Because these numbers were so huge, many people thought the story was a trick or a hoax.
What Scientists Discovered
In early 2005, Hogzilla's body was dug up. Scientists studied it for a TV show on the National Geographic Channel. In March 2005, they shared their findings.
They confirmed that Hogzilla was indeed a very large pig, but not quite as big as first claimed. It actually weighed about 800 pounds (360 kg). Its length was between 6.9 feet (2.1 m) and 8.6 feet (2.6 m).
Hogzilla's Unique Traits
Scientists also did DNA testing on Hogzilla. This testing showed that it was a mix of a wild boar and a domestic pig, specifically a Hampshire breed. Even though the first claims were a bit too high, Hogzilla was still much bigger than most wild boars or farm pigs.
Its tusks were also very impressive. One tusk measured almost 28 inches (71 cm), and the other was about 19 inches (48 cm) long. These large tusks showed its wild heritage.
