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Fun Facts About Pigs: Celebrate National Pig Day

National Pig Day is an event held annually on the first day of March in the United States to celebrate the pig. We celebrated it to honor and recognize the intelligence and contributions of pigs.

  1. History and Significance
  2. Celebrations and Events
  3. Fun Facts About Pigs
  4. Famous Pig
  5. Pigs in stories and poem
  6. Notable Pig Characters in Media

History and Significance

National Pig Day was established in 1972 by sisters Ellen Stanley and Mary Lynne Rave, who aimed to give pigs the recognition they deserve as intelligent and domesticated animals. The holiday is not a federal holiday but is celebrated primarily in the Midwest of the United States. The day serves to highlight the importance of pigs in agriculture and culture, as well as to promote awareness about their intelligence and social nature.

The first official celebration took place that year with the intent of the holiday to respectfully remember the pig as opposed to serving it as the main meal. Since then, cities across the country plan fun events such as a “snort off” competition, pig parades, and pig-themed arts and crafts activities.

Christopher Columbus is believed to have eight pigs along his journey while travelling to Cuba in 1493 after his initial voyage to the “New World.” Columbus’ successor in exploring the America’s, Hernando de Soto, brought 13 of the animals with him when first landing in today’s Tampa Bay, Florida, making the first domesticated pigs in what would become the United States of America.  

Celebrations and Events

National Pig Day includes various events and activities across the country, such as.

  • Pig Parties: Gatherings where people celebrate with pig-themed decorations, food, and activities.
  • Educational Events: Schools, zoos, and nursing homes often host events to educate the public about pigs and their role in society.
  • Parades and Contests: Some communities hold pig parades and contests to showcase pig collectibles and celebrate the animal’s cultural significance.

Fun Facts About Pigs

Here is more information about pigs: Understanding Pig Anatomy: Key Features Explained for Kids

Physical Characteristics:

  • Adult pigs can weigh between 300 and 700 pounds (140–300 kg), with newborn piglets weighing about 2.5 pounds.
  • They have large heads, round bodies, short legs, and a distinctive snout used for digging and exploring.
  • Pigs are omnivores, eating plants, roots, fruits, and occasionally small animals.
  • They are excellent swimmers and can adapt to various habitats, though they prefer areas with water for wallowing.
  • Pigs round in mud to keep cool, as pigs have few sweat glands and need help regulating their body temperature. Mud acts like a natural air conditioner, lowering their body heat and preventing overheating, especially on hot days.

Intelligence and Behavior:

  • Pigs are among the smartest animals on Earth, with intelligence comparable to a 3-year-old human child, surpassed only by dolphins, apes, and elephants.
  • They can recognize themselves in mirrors, solve puzzles, and even outperform chimpanzees in certain video games.
  • Piglets can learn their names within the first two weeks of life, and pigs have excellent long-term memory. They are curious and enjoy exploring new objects, often preferring novel toys over familiar ones.
  • Pigs are known for their high intelligence, often compared to that of dogs and even some primates. They can learn tricks and solve problems.

Sensory Abilities:

  • Pigs have poor eyesight but exceptional senses of smell, hearing, and taste.
  • Their sense of smell is approximately 2,000 times stronger than humans, allowing them to detect truffles and other hidden food sources.
  • They have around 15,000 taste buds and can distinguish individual vocalizations within their herd.
  • The snout contains a high density of tactile receptors, aiding in foraging and environmental exploration.

Famous Pig

Right to left: Daisy II, Mr. Paul Minor, Dixie Cup, and Lily Pug.
  • The Pig Who Tours the U.S. Reading to Children :
    • Daisy II is the pig’s name better known as Daisy the pig. She tours all around the US help kids like reading. Daisy and Her owner, Mr. Minor. I remember when they came to the library. The library was packed. Our library is small, but it is nice Here is more about her and her life.

Pigs in stories and poem

  • Mother Goose: The Flying Pig
  • Mother Goose: Five Toes – This Little Pig
  • The Story of the Three Little Pigs
  • Wilbur:
    • Charlotte’s Web is a book of children’s literature by American author E. B. White and illustrated by Garth Williams. It was published on October 15, 1952, by Harper & Brothers. It tells the story of a livestock pig named Wilbur and his friendship with a barn spider named Charlotte.
  • Babe:
    • Babe the pig has a book titled “Babe: The Gallant Pig,” written by Dick King-Smith. This classic children’s novel was first published in 1983 and has been adapted into a film. The story follows Babe, a pig who learns to herd sheep and impress a local farmer named Farmer Hogget.
  • Piglet:
    • Piglet made his debut in Chapter III of “Winnie-the-Pooh,” published in 1926. He is a small and timid pig who is Winnie-the-Pooh’s closest companion, frequently confronting his fears and joining Pooh and other characters on adventures throughout the Hundred Acre Wood.  
  • Peppa Pig:
    • “Peppa’s First Pet” by Neville Astley & Mark Baker introduces Peppa Pig and her adventure of getting her first pet fish, Goldie.
  • Olivia:
    • Ian Falconer’s “Olivia,” published in 2000, launched a popular series about the adventures of a piglet named Olivia.
  • Pumbaa:
    • Pumbaa, the lovable warthog and Timon’s friend, first appeared in literature through Justine Korman Fontes’ adaptation of Disney’s 1994 animated film The Lion King in “Disney The Lion King (A Little Golden Book)”. Released the same year as the movie, this book retells Simba’s story for young readers, including supporting characters like Pumbaa and Timon to bring the film’s plot and personalities to a children’s audience.

Notes:

  • If you want to read their pigs stories. You can visit your library, and the librarian will love to help you find the book you want. Pigs love to read and you should too.

Notable Pig Characters in Media

Pigs have long been favorite characters in countless shows and movies, often brought to life with quirky personalities and unforgettable stories that connect with audiences.

Family shows:

  1. Babe: In the film “Babe,” a charming little pig dreams of becoming a sheepdog, bringing to life themes of determination and friendship. Babe’s adventure wins hearts and shares meaningful lessons about self-belief and perseverance.
  2.  Wilbur: Wilbur is the endearing pig from E.B. White’s “Charlotte’s Web” who is saved from slaughter by a clever spider named Charlotte. Wilbur captivated audiences with his innocence, vulnerability, and kind-hearted nature.
  3. Gordy: Gordy is the main character in the family film “Gordy,” where he embarks on a heartwarming adventure to reunite with his family. This talking pig captures the hearts of viewers with his intelligent and compassionate personality. 

Kid shows:

  1. Peppa Pig: Peppa, a modern favorite among kids, stars in her own animated series, where she explores family life and enjoys fun adventures with her friends. The show highlights family values and friendship, making it a hit with preschoolers.
  2. Olivia: Olivia is a young and spirited piglet who captivates young readers and viewers with her imagination and zest for life. She embraces her individuality and fearlessly takes on new experiences, inspiring children to be curious, adventurous, and creative. 

Saturday morning

  1. Orson Pig: Orson Pig is the lead character in the comic strip and animated TV series “Orson’s Farm”. He is a kind-hearted, friendly, and intelligent pig who often finds himself trying to keep his mischievous barnyard friends out of trouble.
  2. Porky Pig: Porky, an iconic character from the Looney Tunes franchise, is famous for his stuttering speech and signature line, “Th-th-th-that’s all, folks!” Since his debut in 1935, he’s been a beloved figure in animated comedy, bringing humor and charm to audiences for generations. 
  3. Peter Porkchops: Peter Porkchops is a character from “The Porky Pig Show,” a popular animated series from the 1960s. He is a mischievous and lovable pig who often finds himself in humorous and comical situations

Pigs from Disney

  1. Piglet: Piglet is a timid and anxious character from A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh stories. Despite his small size and often fearful nature, Piglet displays great courage and loyalty to his friends. 
  2. Pumbaa: Pumbaa is the carefree warthog from Disney’s “The Lion King.” With his laid-back attitude and unwavering loyalty, Pumbaa brings humor and light-heartedness to the film. 
  3. Miss Piggy: Miss Piggy, a standout star of “The Muppet Show,” is a glamorous diva with a bold personality. She’s appeared in many Muppet films and is famous for her hilarious antics and her rollercoaster romance with Kermit the Frog.
  4. Hamm: Hamm is the wise-cracking piggy bank from Disney Pixar’s “Toy Story” franchise. With his sarcastic and witty remarks, Hamm brings a unique sense of humor to the group of toys.

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