A domestic pig: where does he live?

Today, the main farm animal is a domestic pig. Where she lives and what she eats are the factors that will determine the value and taste of her meat. These representatives of large artiodactyls are very prolific and omnivorous. Therefore, with proper care and favorable conditions, they can bring a good income to the one who breeds them. It was not for nothing that this animal was one of the first, which in ancient times domesticated man.

History of origin

The ancestors of these large cloven-hoofed animals were wild boars, or, as they are still called, wild pigs. Where they live , everyone knows. This is practically the whole territory of Europe, but earlier, it turns out, they were found in Africa, where in their time all were exterminated to one. The habitats of wild boars are mainly forest and steppe areas.

Omnivorous and unpretentious eating habits are unique features that the domestic pig inherited from its ancestors. Where the animal lives, and also produces its numerous offspring - this can sometimes be places in which many other representatives of artiodactyls could not exist at all. She can live almost any place and she will never have problems with food. Therefore, archeologists have found facts confirming that ten thousand years ago people already kept pigs and ate their meat.

How did the domestication take place?

When the first farmers appeared and the fields were planted, wild boars, seduced by sowings of various plants, sneaked into the kitchen gardens at night and stole the harvest. People led an active struggle with the "midnight thieves" and caught wild pigs. Small hogs quickly adapted to new conditions and feed. So there were domestic pigs. "Where do they live and what conditions do they need these days?" - this question is of interest to all those who are going to be engaged in pig production. And the answer to it is very simple, these large cloven-hoofed animals have since adapted to the conditions of life created by people who can live on all continents and practically in all countries.

On the territory of North America, these animals were brought from Europe by Spanish pioneers. Due to the fact that the indigenous population living there had not previously encountered pig production, the imported representatives of these artiodactyls fled from them. As a consequence, on these lands, on the contrary, a wild pig has appeared, where it lives to this day. It is with time that people living on this continent have brought out a hybrid of European wild boar and domestic piglets.

At the present time it is proved that with a constant number of about one billion individuals, domesticated pigs are considered to be the largest numerous large mammals on earth.

Features of individuals and their living conditions

To date, domestic pigs are significantly different from their ancestors, but still, some signs of wild boars are inherent in these modern representatives of this species. They have poor eyesight, but very sharp hearing and a strong sense of smell. They have preserved a herd instinct from ancient times and where a pig lives, it can create a real den from its home, thus caring for its offspring, provided, of course, conditions permit.

For these representatives of cloven-hoofed animals with a large margin of fat, overheating is very dangerous. Therefore, where there should live a pig, domestic and regardless of the breed, you need the presence of any water so that the pig can independently adjust its own body temperature. After all, when she is lying in a muddy pool, she does it not because of love for dirt, but in order not to get a heat stroke.

Habitat

In our time, pig production is very developed, so there are many such places and countries where the pig lives. Perhaps the only place on earth where you can not see the representatives of these pets is Antarctica.

Progenitors - wild boars, still live in the forests of our planet, but their descendants - domesticated pigs, where they live at home? It turns out that cattle breeders specially build cows and pigsties for them in which they are fed and taken care of. The peculiarity of such buildings is that instead of the floor there is often bare earth. This is done so that the pig can dig the earth, which she likes to do since ancient times.

The Benefits of Humanity

Many people, engaged in pig production, receive from these animals, in addition to meat, still fat and skin. Also, their stiff bristles allow people to make a variety of brushes and brushes.

Mushroom lovers use pigs as bloodhounds. They can, thanks to their sharp scent, find rare and delicious truffles. Today, scientists have even learned to transplant some porcine organs to humans, which can later save human life.

Interesting Facts

It turns out that for the ancient Egyptians and Chinese, these cloven-hoofed animals were considered sacred animals. They were sure of the following: a pig, where it lives and reproduces, happiness and well-being will reign in that place. To consume pork was allowed only on the occasion of any religious holidays, and doctors of that time made a mixture of pig blood, liver or bile, which has medicinal properties. When the animals died, people even put them into the grave of homemade pigs adorned with colored stones.

Since pigs have a limited ability to excrete sweat - they only have sweat in their snout, they can not live too much in hot countries. Therefore, even in ancient times cattlemen-nomads did not breed individuals of this species in the deserts.

Papuans living in New Guinea, created a real cult of a pig. They make her a full member of the family, who can eat directly from the table along with everyone else. Here they address her by name, talk and console her if she is injured or injured. As a result, this animal is so used to its owners that everywhere they are accompanied.

Now for many, the pig has become a real source of good earnings. It is grown both in specialized industrial complexes and in private farms. But in any case, a person who is going to be engaged in pig production will not lose out in choosing his business.