Facts About Pigs

Pigs are one of the most misunderstood animals in the world. Many people think of pigs as being dumb stupid animals that wallow in mud all day long and have little reasoning capacity. Quite the opposite is true. The fact is that pigs are smarter than any other domestic animal, dogs and cats included. They have amazing problem solving abilities and pigs are very trainable animals. Many people have made the comment that they “sweat like a pig” but in reality pigs are unable to sweat. This is why pigs wallow in the mud in order to cool down when the weather is warm. The mud also serves to protect pink pigs from sunburn and heat stress. This attraction to mud leads people to think that pigs are filthy animals. Again, this is an untrue belief as pigs are some of the cleanest animals around. Pigs actually refuse to excrete anywhere near their living and eating area unless they are confined to an extremely small area.

Pigs are frequently raised in a sty or pigsty which is a small outdoor enclosure. It has also been referred to as a pigpen or pig parlor. Large scale enclosures for raising pigs are referred to as hog lots. Pigs have often been fed “slops” which is actually corn meal stirred with milk and water. Pigs are also fed grains, vegetables and fruits that are not fit for human consumption. Pigs have also been fed table and restaurant scraps. Fattening the pigs fro market or for personal consumption is a major focus for hog farmers. Not only are pigs a major source of food, but they also are used to produce lard. Chitlins are made from washed intestines that are cut into short pieces and then fried.

Pigs are very unique as they are one of the only mammals that exist in every part of the world. While they may take on many different forms and characteristics, pigs can be found on every continent except Antarctica. Pigs are part of the order Artiodactyls (even toed, hoofed animals) and the family Suidae. there are five genera and nine species of pigs. Pigs have been used by truffle harvesters as reliable hunters whose keen sense of smells allows them to locate pricey fungi Wherever humankind has ventured, they have always brought pigs along with them and pig farming has been a mainstay since the beginning of time. The pigs have long been used as a source of food. Pigs are raised and slaughtered and sold in a variety of ways including bacon, hams, shoulders, pork chops, sausage, pork bellies, pork ribs, and pork loin roasts.

Mother pigs are referred to as sows and father pigs are called boars. Baby pigs are referred to as piglets. A group of pigs is called a herd. A “gilt” is an immature female pig that has birthed fewer than two litters. A castrated pig is referred to as a barrow. Sows can give birth to 8 to 12 piglets in a single litter and they are capable of having two litters per year. Pigs can have either straight tails or curly tails. Pigs have hooves and each hoof has four toes. Pigs walk on only two of their toes on each foot. This is why pigs appear as if they are walking on their tiptoes! The smallest breed of pigs is the Mini Maialino that average 20 pounds at maturity. The largest pig on record was a Poland-China hog named “Big Bill”. This hog weighed 2,552 pounds and was 9 feet in length and had a shoulder height of 5 feet. The largest litter of pigs on record was 37 piglets. Pigs can live an average of 15-20 years.

Fortunately for our friend the pig, their popularity as pets has been growing throughout the world. Many Americans now keep pigs in their homes. Pigs instinctively do not generally enjoy being picked up because when they existed in the wild, predators would capture them from above and lift them away through the air. Many pet pigs however do enjoy cuddling and even sitting on your lap. If bathed and groomed properly, pigs are actually very neat and tidy pets. In 1972 Ellen Stanley created National Pigs Day which is held each year on the 1^st of March.