Pigs

Pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) have been domesticated for thousands of years and can be found on every continent except Antarctica. Today, pigs are used for meat, lard, leather, brushes, heart valves, and paint products. Pig manure is also a good agricultural fertilizer but it must be properly composted prior to use. Before domestication, pigs inhabited grasslands, forests, shrublands, and marshy swamplands. Since they can’t sweat, pigs require a nearby water source so they can cool down. This is also why they love rolling around in the mud!

They are intelligent, sociable, and downright adorable. In fact, they are the 4th most intelligent mammal, starting with humans, primates, dolphins and whales, and then pigs. Pigs are particular because they have such a high intellect. When nursing, piglets will feed from the same teat every time. They also like to keep things tidy by designating separate spaces for sleeping and using the bathroom. Pigs are very sensitive emotionally, and can even get their feelings hurt. So remember to be nice to them. You can find two kunekune pigs at the Maymont Farm.

• Pigs are omnivores, which means they eat plants and animals.
• A mother pig, known as a sow, has a gestation period of 3.5 months.
• Maymont is home to two KuneKune pigs. KuneKune pigs originated from the Maori Islands of New Zealand and typically live up to 16 years.
• Agriculturally, pigs are used for their meat, fat, heart valves, and to create leather, brushes and paint products.
• Pigs cannot sweat, which is why they require a water source or some wet mud to roll around in to cool off.
• Pigs are highly intelligent; they are able to understand complicated behaviors and feel emotions like empathy.