Pigs, or swine, are medium-sized animals in the family Suidae with a typically stocky barrel-like body with thick, sparsely haired skin and a mobile snout. Suidae are social, companionable, highly intelligent (considered to be more intelligent than dogs), creatures that love mud baths and foraging. Suidae are omnivores and feed on fungi, roots, fruit, earthworms, and more.
Female suidae and their young will typically travel together, while the males are more solitary. Litter sizes for females can range from one to twelve which the female suid will give birth to in grass, or similar, den that the young are able to leave in about 10 days. Suidae display sexual dimorphism, and the males are usually significantly larger than the females.
Pigs, members of the Suidae family, are stout-bodied animals with short, robust legs. They have a broad snout, which is both highly sensitive and adaptable for digging and foraging. Their skin, often covered in bristles, can range from smooth to very hairy, and in various colors. Pigs possess a compact, barrel-shaped body, built for endurance rather than speed.
Their eyesight is limited, but they make up for it with an exceptional sense of smell, crucial for locating food. Pigs communicate using a variety of vocalizations, including grunts, squeals, and oinks, each indicating different emotions or intentions. Their versatile anatomy allows them to thrive in diverse habitats.
Humans and pigs share a multifaceted history. Pigs were domesticated over 9,000 years ago for meat, making them one of the earliest livestock animals. In many cultures, they symbolize prosperity and abundance. Pop culture is peppered with pig references: from the wise "Babe" to the playful "Peppa Pig", they're beloved characters. The "Three Little Pigs" tale teaches resilience, while in the Chinese zodiac, the pig represents luck and good fortune.
However, industrial farming has raised ethical concerns about their treatment. Wild species, like the Javan warty pig, face extinction risks. Conservation efforts work towards habitat preservation and promoting humane pig farming practices.
What a group of swine is called depends on the ages of the swine. A young group of swine is called a drift, drove, or littler. A group of older pigs can be called a sounder of swine, a team of hogs, a passel of hogs, or a singular of boars.
Pigs are omnivores meaning they feed on both plants and meats. Wild pigs typically eat flowers, fruits, leaves, grass, roots, mushrooms, tree bark. They also eat garbage, worms, dead insects, and carcasses. Domesticated pigs eat farm grains like corn, oats, barley, and wheat. They also eat soybean meal, hay, and vegetables.
The meaning of the phrase “when pigs fly” is that something is not likely to happen at all. The phrase most likely originated in either Germany or Scotland since there are various examples of the expression being used to describe an occurrence that is not physically possible.
