10 Facts About Pigs
Pigs are scientifically known as Sus scrofa. They are social as well as highly intelligent animals. The lifespan of pigs is 8 years and they are also among the most populous mammals on earth since there are about one billion pigs alive at any given time. Pigs are also known as hogs or swine.
Do pigs make sounds? What kind of sounds do they make?
Yes, pigs make different sounds with different meanings. However, sometimes one sound may be used in varied situations to communicate different things. The kinds of sounds made by pigs are grunts, barks, squeals, pants, and coughing noises. Grunts are used by mother pigs during feeding times. Barks can either mean there’s a danger or that the pig is playing around. Squeals signify pain or anxiety in pigs. When a pig pants quietly, they are trying to be friendly. It is often considered a greeting. Pigs make coughing sounds when they are annoyed.
What do pigs eat? Do they eat humans?
Pigs are omnivorous animals as they feed on both plants and animals. The popular pig diet is made up of corn or soybean meals. Since they are omnivores and natural scavengers, pigs can theoretically eat human remains.
How many babies do pigs have?
The gestation period of a pig is 114 days (easily remembered as 3 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days). One will notice the pregnancy when they are about three months pregnant. A pig will give birth to 8-13 piglets at a go. When the piglets are more than 13, they are born quite small and frail. Pigs can give birth twice in a year.
What is a baby pig called?
Baby pigs are called piglets. When they are many, the piglets are known as litter or farrow. A weaned piglet is referred to as a shoat or shote.
What is a group of pigs called?
The name given to a group of pigs depends on the ages of those pigs. For instance, a group of older pigs is called a sounder, passel, parcel, or team of pigs. However, younger pigs are referred to as a drove, litter, or drift of pigs. Male pigs of any age are boars while the females are sows.
Can pigs sweat?
Pigs do not sweat. Though pigs have sweat glands, they are dysfunctional with regards to thermoregulation. As a result, pigs will always wallow in mud or water to cool themselves. They also get rid of excess heat through their skin and respiration.
How fast can a pig run?
Domestic pigs can run as fast as 11 miles per hour while the wild boar runs 15 miles per hour. They do not run in a straight line. Thus, pigs that participate in short races will not adhere to the set race lanes.
Why do pigs like mud so much?
Mud baths help the pigs to cool their bodies whenever there’s heat. They can lower the pig’s temperature by 3.6 degrees Celsius. The cooling effects last longer when the pigs wallow in mud than in water. However, pigs also like to play in the mud to get rid of parasites that infest their bodies such as lice and ticks. Besides, the pigs also rub their scent on the mud as a way of marking their territories.
Can pigs swim?
Pigs can swim. In fact, in a place like the Bahamas, there are designated areas where humans can swim with pigs. The pigs also enjoy sunbathing and dip themselves in the sea to cool off.
How do pigs communicate with one another?
Pigs constantly communicate with each other by means of grunts, oinks, and squeals. Mother pigs sing lullabies to their young ones during nursing periods. Besides, pigs communicate their anger and disappointment with each other and use distinct communication methods to woo their mates.
