Pigs are ungulates native to Eurasia collectively
grouped under the genus Sus within the Suidae family.
They have been domesticated and raised as livestock by some peoples for meat (called pork) as well as for leather. Their bristly
hairs are also traditionally used for brushes. Wild pigs continue to fill these functions in certain parts of the world.
Pigs are omnivores, which means that they consume both plants and animals.
On a small farm, or in a large household, they can be fed kitchen scraps as part or all of their diet. In the wild, they are
foraging animals. Pigs that are allowed to forage may be watched by swineherds. Because of their foraging abilities and excellent
sense of smell, they are used to find truffles in many European countries. They are also fattened to be eaten as ham and other
types of meat, such as bacon.
Pigs are unusually trainable animals, and some, such as the Asian pot-bellied
pig, are kept as pets.
A litter of piglets typically contains between 6 and 12 animals. Occasionally,
in captivity, pigs may eat their own young.
Pigs lack sweat glands, thus they must have access to water or mud to cool
themselves during hot weather. They also use mud as a form of sunscreen to protect their skin from sunburn.
