THE world’s largest pig aptly named “Big Bill” was destined for global fame – until he unsurprisingly died from carrying his colossal weight.
The porker measured up at a shocking 9ft long and weighed an unbelievable 1,157kgs – the same as a small car.
Tennessee Agricultural Museum/FACEBOOKEven almost a century later, Big Bill still remains the largest pig ever recorded[/caption]
AlamyPoland China pigs are renowned for their large muscle mass, making them amongst the heaviest of pig breeds[/caption]
The Poland China breed pig was born in 1930 and it’s understood he was the only survivor of his litter.
Massive swine Bill is said to have not stopped growing and, along with the breed being known for large muscle mass, meant he was destined to be gargantuan.
Visitors used to come far and wide just to look at Big Bill – who appeared to resemble more of a large cow than he did pig.
Elias Buford Butler from Jackson, Tennessee was the proud owner of the porker.
Poland China hogs were commonly found in the US during the early 20th century – but none were even close to Bill’s size.
These specific breeds of pigs distinctively have a black coat with white markings.
They’re also renowned for their robust physique which farmers look for to produce large amounts of meat that is also good quality.
Big Bill’s upbringing would have had a huge impact on his size and also shows the incredible breeding practices that took place in the early 20th century.
Elias entered Big Bill into the World’s Fair in Chicago so visitors could catch a glimpse of the beast in his hefty glory – but disaster struck.
Unsurprisingly, from carrying his colossal weight, Big Bill broke a leg.
From the injury he tragically had to be put down.
It is believed that Big Bill was three years old when he died – which is not typical of his breed.
Generally, Poland China hogs have an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years.
No pig since has managed to reach the impressive size that Big Bill did.
But another porker follows close behind in (almost) reaching Big Bill’s size.
Ton Pig, from China, was also a domestic pig and weighed a whopping 900kgs in 2004.
The beast, owned by Xu Changjin, died from poor mobility because of its enormity.
After his death, Ton Pig was then sent to the Liaoning Agriculture Museum in Shenyang and put on display.
People’s Daily / HuanqiuTon Pig was crowned the ‘King of the Pigs’[/caption]
AlamyPoland China hogs have an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years – but Big Bill apparently died aged 3[/caption]