Facts You Never Knew About Pigs

[FamTimes reporter Park Joo-hye] When we think of pigs, we picture foods such as bacon, pork barbecue, and roast pork.

However, beyond the simple fact that pigs end up on our tables, there are many more things to learn about them.

According to a research paper published in Psychology Today, pigs have distinctive, individual personalities.

Pigs also express a variety of emotions. Experts have claimed that pigs rank among the five most intelligent animals, alongside elephants, dolphins, and chimpanzees.

Pigs primarily use sounds to communicate. They use around 20 different sounds for communication. Pigs can recognize one another, enjoy physical contact, and form close bonds.

Contrary to what many people believe, pigs do not overeat; they eat only until they are comfortably full.

Although they enjoy wallowing in mud, pigs are actually clean animals. They care so much about cleanliness that they keep their living areas far away from where they relieve themselves.

Farmed pigs can sometimes become aggressive when provoked by outside stimuli or when trying to protect their piglets.

Pigs can learn tricks as easily as dogs and may even learn faster than dogs. Research indicates that pigs have good memories and can remember objects they have not seen for a long time.

Scientists at the University of Illinois also discovered that pigs prefer certain temperatures.

Reporter Park Joo-hye, fam1@pcss.co.kr