Posted May 12, 2009 by Marta Holmberg
We ♥ pigs. Remember our whole “Woof!” campaign last summer? With swine flu in the news so much lately, pretty much everyone is thinking about pigs. Here’s what you might not already know about these cutie pies:
1. Pigs snuggle close to one another and prefer to sleep nose to nose. They dream, much as humans do. In their natural surroundings, pigs spend hours playing, sunbathing, and exploring. People who run animal sanctuaries for farmed animals often report that pigs, like humans, enjoy listening to music, playing with soccer balls, and getting massages.
2. Pigs communicate constantly with one another; more than 20 vocalizations have been identified that pigs use in different situations, from wooing mates to saying, “I’m hungry!”
3. Newborn piglets learn to run to their mothers’ voices and to recognize their own names. Mother pigs sing to their young while nursing.
4. According to Professor Donald Broom of the Cambridge University Veterinary School, “[Pigs] have the cognitive ability to be quite sophisticated. Even more so than dogs and certainly [more so than human] 3-year-olds.”
5. Pigs appear to have a good sense of direction and have found their way home over great distances. Adult pigs can run at speeds of up to 11 miles an hour.
6. Professor Stanley Curtis of Penn State University has found that pigs can play joystick-controlled video games and are “capable of abstract representation.” Dr. Curtis believes that “there is much more going on in terms of thinking and observing by these pigs than we would ever have guessed.”
7. Pigs do not “eat like pigs” or “pig out.” They prefer to eat slowly and savor their food.
8. Suzanne Held, who studies the cognitive abilities of farmed animals at the University of Bristol’s Centre of Behavioural Biology, says that pigs are “really good at remembering where food is located, because in their natural environment food is patchily distributed and it pays to revisit profitable food patches.”
9. Pigs are clean animals. If given sufficient space, they will be careful not to soil the area where they sleep or eat. Pigs don’t “sweat like pigs”; they are actually unable to sweat. They like to bathe in water or mud to keep cool, and they actually prefer water to mud. One woman developed a shower for her pigs, and they learned to turn it on and off by themselves.
10. In his book The Whole Hog, biologist and Johannesburg Zoo director Lyall Watson writes, “I know of no other animals [who] are more consistently curious, more willing to explore new experiences, more ready to meet the world with open mouthed enthusiasm. Pigs, I have discovered, are incurable optimists and get a big kick out of just being.”
If you’re still in doubt that pigs are amazing, check out these super-cute videos. You won’t be able to stop smiling. What is your favorite thing about pigs? I like seeing them wag their tails!
peta2 Street Team Coordinator + lover of vegan food, cats, animal rights, Dawson's Creek, and Harry Potter.
Too long to explain here, it's long enough for a novel.
Father loves to farm, be self sustainable, loves to read, he's a antiques/vintage auctioneer, art student, and looks like mr. Rogers. My mother is a Montessori teacher and is amazing with children, all about local organic foods, loves gardening, cooking etc. my sister who is nine years older than me was into indie music and introduced me to all sorts of things at a young age. This all rubbed of on me and from that base I grew into similar things. I'm an INFJ
I love animals about as much as rock, heavy metal, tea, and coffee. Hoping to make a difference and help animals through PETA!!!
I'm tall, a geek, nacho - obsessed, I love sewing and Cath Kidston, also I'm vegetarian (wannabe vegan.)
Jersey girl now I'm all country.
Well let's just say life ain't always beautiful but it's a beautiful ride. I love all my pets and would do anything for them. I have one dog, two cats, a ferret and my babygirl shaymin,(the cutest hedgehog alive) I'm into all different kinds of music. I'm a singer myself and love art.
I want to get into marketing but not have to rely on people which have different morals and worldviews than I do to hire me. While I'm figuring this out, I want to show everyone what I believe in and spur them into action against injustices.
Life On A Tour Bus
I am Angela. When I am not helping animals I am listening to music, reading, or playing video games. My spirit animal is a fox and I love nature. What else is there to know? Want to know anything about me, need advice or anything message me :)
♥ 
254 days ago
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I love pigs! They seem to have a life of their own and are generally fun animals to be around. When ever my family went to a petting zoo that was the first place i would go. The pigs. They are THE cutest animals in the world and have never done anything to hurt ANYONE. So why hurt them? You wouldn’t drag your dog or your cat to be slaughtered then killed, why do it to pigs?
704 days ago
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They are just sooo adorable!!!
1118 days ago
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I didn’t know they had a good sense of direction. That is so cool. that makes we want to learn more. I I didn’t know they had a good sense of direction. That is so cool. that makes we want to learn more. I <3 pigs now
1121 days ago
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A pig can run a 7 minute mile.
I like this fact because I would think that it would take them forever to run a mile because they seem like the type of animal that doesn’t like to run.
1129 days ago
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hmm, favorite thing about pigs?
well, there’s tons of stuff! they are so adorable. i mean, have you not seen there snouts? awh! and it’s so freakin’ cute whenever they play with there little brothers and sisters;kodak moment? i think so!
1135 days ago
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My favorite facts about pigs?
Everything!
Pigs are one of the most amazing animals out there. I love that they love to cuddle, and they are smarter than your average dog!
1135 days ago
0
My favorite facts about pigs?
Everything!
Pigs are one of the most amazing animals out there. I love that they love to cuddle, and they are smarter than your average dog!
1139 days ago
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Pigs aren’t just dirty animals, they actually are quite clean, they relieve themselves far away from their food places and they’re hardly aggressive animals. They’re actually very intelligent and I’ve heard they learn faster than a dog. And I didn’t know that they snuggled together, but that’s a cute fact to know. I’ve always loved pigs, I think they’re soo cute and much more useful to our lives alive than as food!
1140 days ago
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Did you know that pigs can learn tricks faster than dogs and you can give a pig a name and they will respond to it after a couple of weeks !
1140 days ago
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First of all i love PIGS!!! When i was little and i lived in mexico i would always see pigs in cages on the truks and my mom said i would cry every time i saw a truck with pigs because i knew wat was gunna happen to them
But one thing i think is cool about pigs is that some pigs are used by some police departments to hunt for
drugs because they not only are smart but they have amazing senses of smell. I funny fact about pigs is that pigs can’t look up at the sky, their necks won’t bend that way….random lol
1140 days ago
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First of all i love PIGS!!! When i was little and i lived in mexico i would always see pigs in cages on the truks and my mom said i would cry every time i saw a truck with pigs because i knew wat was gunna happen to them
But one thing i think is cool about pigs is that some pigs are used by some police departments to hunt for
drugs because they not only are smart but they have amazing senses of smell. I funny fact about pigs is that pigs can’t look up at the sky, their necks won’t bend that way….random lol
1141 days ago
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Pigs are very clean animals. They keep their toilets far from their living or eating area. Even piglets only a few hours old will leave the nest to relieve themselves.
1141 days ago
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omg i read that pigs love to play video games and that they are very smart and that they are smarter than dogs, i seriously love piggies they’re awesome
1141 days ago
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A full grown pig can drink 14 gallons of water a day!!! I barely drink one, if even that.
1141 days ago
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Piggggggggggg! :>
1141 days ago
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I love that pigs are clean animals and cant even sweat!! Despite the misconception that pigs are dirty animals they are actually really smart and wont poop in the same place that they sleep. They don’t deserve the cruelty that they endure, where they cant even bond with their little piglets. How can anyone stand to eat ham and cheese sandwiches?!! HOW!!!?? It makes me angry! >:(
1141 days ago
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I love the fact that pigs are smarter than “man’s best friend”
Funny, we eat the smarter species and treat the less intelligent like their family.
Almost ironic.
1141 days ago
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I love the fact that pigs are smarter than “man’s best friend”
Funny, we eat the smarter species and treat the less intelligent like their family.
Almost ironic.
1141 days ago
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The largest pig till date was a Poland-China hog, named ‘Big Bill’. He weighed 2,552 lbs and had a height of 5 feet and a length of 9 feet. He was a cute big boy!
1141 days ago
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Pork are fattening!!
1141 days ago
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My favorite fact about pigs is that they dream, like to snuggle, and enjoy many of the same things that humans do, like music, playtime, and massages. Not to mention the fact that they are adorable. How can anyone look at those sweet little faces and want to hurt them in any way, shape, or form?
1141 days ago
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When i was young we had two pigs, and the male would always run away to a neighbors house that was a mile away… almost everyday! this was because his girlfriend was there!
So i love how smart they are, and the good sense of direction they posess.
1141 days ago
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When i was young we had two pigs, and the male would always run away to a neighbors house that was a mile away… almost everyday! this was because his girlfriend was there!
So i love how smart they are, and the good sense of direction they posess.
1142 days ago
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Eating pig( :[ ) causes high blood pressure which can lead to heart valve disease.Ironically,pig heart valves are surgically implanted in humans to replace diseased valves.
so,the life you eat may be your own!
1142 days ago
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ode to thee piggies
1142 days ago
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i just i just <3 pigs.
ahhh :]]
1142 days ago
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i just i just <3 pigs.
ahhh :]]
1142 days ago
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i hate how peopl think pigs are stupid and smelly and gross….i mean come on they can play video games!
1142 days ago
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I love the fact that pigs like to cool off on hot days and love to cuddle!!..
1142 days ago
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I love the fact that pigs like to cool off on hot days and love to cuddle!!..
1143 days ago
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Pigs and piglets are nice animals due to their cute face. They are loud and thats wat I like about them because theres always noise instead of silence.they shouldnt be treated bad.. i mean NO ANIMAL should be treated bad.
1143 days ago
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I like that they are smarter than dogs, and as smart as some 2 year old kids.
1143 days ago
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I love how pigs get down and dirty, just like me : ) !!!!!!!!!
1143 days ago
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I love how pigs get down and dirty, just like me : ) !!!!!!!!!
1143 days ago
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Pigs are just too cute! they look sooo cute when they’re so small. and i too love the childhood stories that they write about them. like “Babe” or “Charlotte’s Web”
1143 days ago
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Pigs have the most cute face. Their nose is awsome. I loved childrens stories with piglets in.
1143 days ago
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I love pigs
are the most beautiful animals in all over the world!
Pigs are even more inteligents than my little bro!!
1144 days ago
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They prefer to eat slowly and savor their food. thats really cute and they sleep nose to nose!!
and i like that they can learn their own names
1144 days ago
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I love piggys they are soo cute.. Especially in Invader Zim with GIR.!! did you know that PIGS CAN GET SUNBURNS.!! they are sooo cute. I love pigs and piglets.!! Also a sow can give birth to 8 – 12 piglets in one litter, and can have 2 litters in one year. THATS SOO COOLIO.. i love pigs soo much.!! i went to a place where i got to hold and hug and cherish the pig. They are against animal cruelty. I forgot the place.. But it was soo awsome.!!
1144 days ago
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i love the fact that they are round and always loud and cheery and they are not only smart but they pwned us when it comes to being sophisticated haha they are just to good for us
1144 days ago
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I think the cutest pig fact is that the mothers sing to their babies while they nurse. That is so adorable! I also think it’s incredible how pigs play video games.
1144 days ago
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i like the one tht said pigs are naturally clean… ! i love pigs
1144 days ago
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i am getting a pet pig very soon! they are my favorite animal. i love how they like to bathe in the sun. i would go sun bathing with my piggie ALL the time! and he would sleep in my bed.
im excited just thinking about itt!
1144 days ago
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pigs are awesome.
1145 days ago
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The largest litter of piglets ever born included 37 piglets, out of which 36 were born alive and 33 survived.
1146 days ago
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Pigs are amazing creatures. What i like about pigs is that they are very intelligent all-tough most people are quick to judge at think there not very smart. Pigs are actually smarter than dogs. They actually rank #4 in animal intelligence.
1147 days ago
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Pigs are very cute, and even if you pbserve them from near then u will find how they are able to smile……….the pglets are quiet very sweet and adorable.
1147 days ago
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pigs r so cute the way they oqnik who would hurt such a thang?
1147 days ago
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My favourite pig fact is:
4. According to Professor Donald Broom of the Cambridge University Veterinary School, “[Pigs] have the cognitive ability to be quite sophisticated. Even more so than dogs and certainly [more so than human] 3-year-olds.”
1147 days ago
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I love pigs because they are really freaking cute and have curly tails.(:
and they smile!
I want a pet pig.(:
1147 days ago
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I ? *pigs*:),they are so cute:),just a litlle crazy and verry intelligent,it´s true:),i like smile and pigs are verry happy:) animals,PIGS FOREVER in my ? :-*…
1267 days ago
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i think this is a beatifull animal in all ways i love them so much i adopted one for a kid and i named her jesyina but she is beatifull
1467 days ago
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Pigs are so cute and sweet! Everyone should check out the woof! website, that video is so heartbreaking but true.
1471 days ago
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i think that is so cute !
i love pigs , thats why i don’t eat them or any animal/thing that has a heart : )
1472 days ago
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i wish i could have a pig as a companion animal mzybe i can convince my rents
1472 days ago
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I love pigs becuase they are adorable, intelligent and they are amazing mothers.I have noticed that pigs don’t usually carry heavy odor like dogs either. I would love to keeep some piggies in the future.I also like it when they wag their little curly tails lol.
1472 days ago
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After I went vegetarian I looked at some pictures of pigs online and I realized how adorable pigs. Then I thought to myself, “They’re so cute, why would anyone want to eat that?”
1472 days ago
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My favourite thing about pigs is that when they’re happy they almost appear to be smiling!
I have ‘The Whole Hog’ and I highly recommend it for any other pig fans!
1472 days ago
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pigs are so adorable! i was reading this book earlier, called The Compassion of Animals, & the first story was about the pet pig of this man who had a seizure. if it wasn’t for the pig squealing like crazy, the man’s wife wouldn’t have been awake to notice it.
i want a pet pig :]