Big Norm

A reader tipped me off to the story of Big Norm, supposedly the world's largest known pig at an estimated 1600 pounds. If you are visiting upstate New York you can make a personal visit to see Norm in Hubbardsville. For most of us, though, an on-line visit (here) is better. You can buy shares in Big Norm (to help pay for his upkeep) or pick up a t-shirt.

By the way, the Guinness Book of Records believes that a Poland-China pig called Big Bill which died in 1933 is the largest pig ever, weighing 2552 pounds. In other news, the world record for the highest jump by a pig is 70 cm (27.5 in) and was achieved by Kotetsu, a pot-bellied pig on 22 August 2004 at the Mokumoku Tedsukuri Farm, Mie, Japan. You can find a photo here at the Guinness site.