Fuzzy Pigs That Look Like Sheep Are Simply Adorable

I never knew there was a pig that resembled a sheep until now.

Meet the Mangalica pig.

Mangalica pigs are appropriately nicknamed “sheep pigs” because of their curly coats.

Their unusual appearance make many question if they are real.

They are, but they are quite rare.

The breed of pigs almost went extinct in the 1990s, but a group of breeders in Hungary – where the breed originates – set out to save them.

They are the only known breed of domestic pigs with curly coats to have survived to modern times.

Mangalica pigs were developed by cross breeding Hungarian breeds of pigs in the 1830s by Austrian Archduke Joseph.

But the pigs slowly disappeared during Hungarian communism before being rescued from the brink of extinction by the efforts of animal geneticist Peter Toth and a few breeders.

They are still quite rare, but growing in popularity with farmers. Several Mangalicas made their way over to North America in 2007 and are now raised at several farms throughout the United States.

The pigs really are adorable looking! There are three Mangalica breeds: Blonde, Swallow-bellied, and Red.

They all have the same behavior; the only difference is their color.

Mangalica piglets are born striped like wild boars.

What an unusual-looking pig!

Share this fuzzy, sheep-pig with your animal-loving friends!