How Intelligent Are Pigs?

The main historical reason that a pig’s intelligence has only recently been recognized, is due to the fact that they have formed an important part in western diets for centuries. One can somewhat describe it as a method of denial, as our society would usually not consume an animal which we consider to have a level of intelligence, based on ethics. Example of some of these animals include, dogs and dolphins. They are both animals who were not questioned about their high levels of intelligence and in most of society: it seems aberrant to think about including them in our diets.

As pigs have been solely seen as a source of food for so many centuries, it is now an animal which is raised and bred in industrial quantities: in order to match the supply demand of our population. This, in addition, results in us perceiving pigs as dirty animals, crammed into their own excrement. But this fact is only a consequence of captive breeding conditions and does not represent the natural behavior and/or intelligence of pigs in any way. If given the opportunity, pigs would choose to not defecate where they eat and sleep.

When observing a pig’s behavior, it is easy to appreciate that they are curious and intuitive animals. They prepare their beds and they use mud to cool off and protect themselves from sun damage. This skin care method is especially important in hairless animals, such as: elephants or rhinoceroses. But,despite not being the only animal that does this, this action of mud use, has only forced the stereotype of 'dirty animal' onto pigs.

In rural areas there has always been greater integration of animals in daily society. Pigs, like the rest of the cattle, are daily taken from the stables to graze or search for food, and at night they are taken back to the barn where they spend their nights. There are many collected testimonies stating that pigs have often established their own routines and voluntarily returned to their night shelter, while bovine cattle had to be driven.

There are cases of pigs that have been made famous in their villages, even awarded pardoning. Some pigs are used in search for truffles. These pigs must be trained not to eat the truffles once found and are instead trained to await their rewards patiently. The training method can be considered the same as that of dog training.

The fact of perceiving consciousness by an individual, is something that for years, was considered exclusive to humans. Consciousness of an individual is characteristic as; a rational being, capable of thinking and being aware of their own existence. Most animals act guided by primary instincts, without the awareness of having a will of their own.

The fact of recognizing oneself in a mirror is a level of advanced perception, given to dolphins and macaques. Investigations by Dr. Donald Broom, at the University of Cambridge (United Kingdom), affirms that a domestic pig is capable of recognizing itself. Pigs are also capable of experiencing a wide range of emotions and are able to feel love and fear, among others.

Pigs experiments have reached a very high level of complexity. Some pig experiments encouraged the pig subjects to solve difficulties that can only occur if they mental images of the problem are reconstructed. They then mentally search for the solution, before putting it into practice.

Example of what pigs can do:

• Pigs can manipulate a remote control to get the result they want.

• Pigs are able to memorize long journeys in search of something they already know (They have a great memory).

• Pigs can decipher enigmas through a mirror that reflects an image.

• In persecution games with two pig individuals, when one pig figures out the enigma, the other pursues: but the first tries to deceive the other, in order to obtain all of the reward for itself.

These types of skills are positioned by experts on an equal leveled scale to human brain development from a 3 year old. Some have even argued that pigs are smarter than dogs!

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