Animal Diaries Archive

Pig Facts

22 February 2008

It is no secret that pigs love to wallow in mud. And it is a common misconception that they are dirty animals. But pigs are actually very clean.They have a special area away from where they eat as their toilet and because they do not sweat, the mud bath not only cools them off, and protects them from biting insects and sunburn.

Pigs have poor eyesight but make up for it with their excellent sense of smell, their nose is called a snout, which they also use for digging.

The male pig is called a Boer, the female is called a Sow, and her babies are piglets.

The names given to a group of pigs are a drift, team, or herd, but a group of wild pigs is called a Sounder.

A group of young ones is called a litter or a farrow of piglets.

Their skin is like ours and their hair is known as bristles. Just like humans, pig’s teeth are protected by a layer of enamel and Boers have a long front tooth on either side called a tusk.

In the wild pigs eat a wide variety of food including fruits, berries, grasses, leaves, roots, fungi and small animals.

Sows give birth to piglets, and gestation is three months, three weeks and three days.

The piglets suckle from mum for about five weeks then they start to eat solid food.

Their life span in the wild is about ten years, but up to fifteen years in captivity is common.

You probably may not think so, but pigs can swim quite well.

There are many more interesting pig facts but one fact is for sure. Here in Kids Zoo our six little pigs are the center of attention every day. Check out these two little pigs, G.G and Duke playing under the shrubs and nuzzling in the dirt. These guys are definitely worth checking out next time you visit Australia Zoo.

Until next time, hope to see you in KIDS ZOO.