Pigs are generally native to Eurasia. They are naturally clean creatures and
are among the smartest of all domestic animals, even more intelligent than dogs.
Their sturdy, barrel-like bodies weigh between 300 and 700 pounds (140 and 300
kilograms) and sometimes reach 1,900 pounds (860 kilograms).
Healthy pigs will gain from 1.5 to 1.8 pounds per day if fed properly. Pigs
have short legs, four toes on each foot, with the two large middle toes used
for walking. They also have thick skins covered with a coat of stiff hairs called
bristles. Pigs normally use only the center pair of toes when walking on hard
ground. Pigs are omnivores, which mean that they eat both animals and plants.
Their diet mainly includes dead insects, worms, tree bark, rotting carcasses,
garbage, and even other pigs. They also destroy nests of ground nesting birds.
Pigs are frequently referenced in culture and are a popular topic for idioms
and famous quotes.
