Pig

Class: Mammal
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Suidae
Species: Sus scrofa

Ungulates are a group of mammals that support their body weight on the tips of their toes (that is, on their nails — hence the name ungulate). For this reason, they have developed a hoof to protect the limb.
They are divided into:

• Artiodactyls = even-toed ungulates (such as cows, deer, pigs, and wild boars).
• Perissodactyls = odd-toed ungulates (such as horses).

Did you know that...

…it doesn’t sweat!
Despite the saying to sweat like a pig, unlike other animals (such as humans), pigs have no sweat glands, so they cannot sweat. Pigs release excess heat through a process of evaporation via the skin. They are also able to perform selective thermoregulation, choosing which parts of their body to cool down or warm up.

…it’s intelligent!
Despite popular beliefs that describe it as dirty, lazy, and dull, the pig is actually clean, social, and intelligent! It organizes its space into specific areas for cleaning and defecation and uses mud to rid itself of parasites. Moreover, pigs have great communication skills, are affectionate with their young (they even sing lullabies to their piglets), and can be trained just like dogs.

…it can also be black!
Although most pig breeds are pink, some can be black or spotted. In the past, we raised Black Pigs from Lomellina.

Continue your visit and find out if it has a wild relative living in the woods!

Its prehistoric ancestor is called Palaeochoerus…

…which appeared on Earth 20 million years ago and is now extinct.
However, there is a living fossil – the Babirusa – which has survived to this day with the same characteristics as its prehistoric ancestor. From this ancient line also descended the Potamochoerus (related to the hippopotamus) and the Phacochoerus (warthogs and wild boars).

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