1. Pigs are very clean animals

Despite my mother consistently calling my bedroom a pigsty growing up, pigs are actually very clean animals. In fact, they’re some of the cleanest animals around and refuse to defecate where they sleep and eat if given the choice. Even newborn piglets will leave their sleeping areas to relieve themselves!

2. Pigs are smarter than your dog

It’s true! Pigs have the intelligence of a human toddler and are ranked as the fifth most intelligent animal in the world! In fact, pigs are more intelligent and trainable than any breed of dog. They learn their names in just two weeks and come when they’re called. Pigs are even capable of playing video games better than some primates.

3. Mother pigs sing to their babies

This is one of the sweetest facts about pigs: mother pigs sing to their babies while nursing. Newborn piglets learn to run towards their mothers’ voices, and pigs constantly communicate with each other. They have more than 20 distinct grunts and squeals that have been identified and range from expressing hunger to calling for mates.

4. Pigs love belly rubs!

Social animals, pigs love to use trees to rub and scratch on and enjoy belly rubs from their human caretakers! They even enjoy various enrichment toys and playing with each other.

5. Pigs have an excellent sense of direction

Pigs are navigators: they can find their way home over large distances. They can often trot long distances and can reach up to 11 miles per hour running.

6. Pigs dream and like to sleep nose-to-nose

Have you ever seen a piggy pile? Pigs love to stay connected with each other by sleeping close together, often making sure to touch their friends while they drift off to dreamland! Few animals are more social than pigs, who form close bonds with other pigs and humans.