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    Suidae – Pigs & boars

    The 4th most intelligent animal on the planet and far more complex than you might believe!

    This family includes domesticated pigs (hogs), warthogs, and deer pigs. They all have a fantastic snout with muscles and a cartilage disk that they can move at will. They have a keen sense of smell and use their specialized snout for digging up food from the soil (known as ‘rooting’). Pig tusks are enlarged canine teeth that grow throughout the pig’s life.

    Pigs are highly social animals, with sows and piglets living together in small groups. The group shares responsibilities such as foraging, nursing one another’s piglets, and defending each other against predators. They communicate using scent, body language, and vocalizations with a repertoire of over 20 different sounds.

    Did you know…?

    • These animals are found on all continents except Antarctica.
    • According to fossil records, suids have been hanging around for about 35 million years and originated from the area now known as Thailand. 
    • Humans introduce many suid species worldwide, especially into America, New Zealand, Australia, and New Guinea. 
    • Domestic pigs are the descendants of true wild boars indigenous to Europe and Asia. 
    • Wild boars and domesticated pigs are interbred in many regions to commercialize pig production. 
    • Many pigs are efficient swimmers – babirusas have been observed swimming underwater.