Nowadays, 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 good income to those who breed them. No wonder this animal was one of the very first that in ancient times man domesticated.
Origin history
The ancestors of these large artiodactyls were wild boars, or, as they are also called, wild pigs. Where they live, everyone knows. This is practically the entire territory of Europe, but earlier, it turns out, they were also found in Africa, where at one time all were destroyed. Wild boar habitats are mainly forest and steppe areas.
Omnivorousness and unpretentiousness in food are unique features that the domestic pig inherited from its ancestors. Where this animal lives, and also produces its numerous offspring - these can sometimes be places in which many other representatives of artiodactyls could not even exist. She can inhabit almost any place and she will never have problems with food. Therefore, archaeologists found facts confirming that ten thousand years ago people already kept pigs and ate their meat.
How did domestication happen?
When the first farmers appeared and sown the fields, wild boars, seduced by crops of various plants, sneaked into the gardens at night and stole the crop. People fought actively against the "midnight thieves" and caught wild piglets. Small hogs quickly adapted to new conditions and feed. So there were domestic pigs. “Where do they live and what conditions do they need today?” - This question is now of interest to all those who are going to engage in pig farming. And the answer to it is very simple, these large artiodactyls from ancient times have so adapted to the living conditions that people create for them that they can live on all continents and in almost all countries.
In North America, these animals were introduced from Europe by Spanish pioneers. Due to the fact that the indigenous population living there had not previously encountered pig breeding, the representatives of these artiodactyls who had been brought in fled from them. As a result, a wild pig appeared on these lands, on the contrary, where it lives to this day. It is over time that people living on this continent have bred a hybrid of European boar and domestic piglets.
At this time, it has been proven that with a constant population of approximately one billion individuals, domesticated pigs are considered the largest large mammals on earth.
Features of individuals and their living conditions
Today, domestic pigs are significantly different from their ancestors, but nevertheless, some signs of wild boars are inherent in these modern representatives of this species. They have poor eyesight, but very keen hearing and a highly developed sense of smell. They have preserved herd instinct from ancient times and where the pig lives, she can create a real lair from her home, thus taking care of her offspring, if, of course, conditions allow.
For these representatives of artiodactyl animals with a large supply of fat, overheating is very dangerous. Therefore, where the pig should live, domestic and regardless of the breed, the presence of any water is necessary so that the pig can independently regulate its own body temperature. After all, when she wallows in a dirty puddle, she does this not because of her love of dirt, but in order not to get a heat stroke.
Habitat
Nowadays, pig farming is very developed, so there are many places and countries where the pig lives. Perhaps the only place on earth where you can not see representatives of these domestic animals is Antarctica.
Ancestors - wild boars, still live in the forests of our planet, but their descendants - domesticated pigs, where they live at home? It turns out that especially for them, pastoralists build cows and pigsties in which they are fed and cared for. A feature of such buildings is that instead of the floor there is often bare land. This is done so that the pig can dig the ground, which she likes to do since ancient times.
The benefits to humanity
Many people, engaged in pig farming, receive from these animals, in addition to meat, fat and skin. Also, their stiff bristles enable people to make a variety of brushes and brushes.
Fans of mushrooms use pigs as bloodhounds. They can, thanks to their sharp scent, find rare and tasty truffles. Nowadays, scientists have even learned to transplant a person with some pig organs, which subsequently can save a human life.
Interesting Facts
It turns out that for the ancient Egyptians and Chinese, these artiodactyls were considered sacred animals. They were sure of the following: the pig, where it lives and breeds, in that place will reign happiness and prosperity. Pork was allowed to be eaten only on the occasion of any religious holidays, and the doctors of that time made a mixture of pork blood, liver or bile, which has healing properties. When animals died, people even put homemade pigs decorated with multi-colored stones in the grave of them.
Since pigs have a limited ability to secrete sweat - they only sweat the snout, they can not live too in hot countries. Therefore, even in ancient times, nomadic herders did not breed individuals of this species in deserts.
Papuans living in New Guinea have created a real cult of the pig. They make her a full member of the family who can eat food right from the table along with everyone else. Here she is addressed by name, talking and comforting if she is crippled or injured. As a result, this animal is so accustomed to its owners that it accompanies them everywhere.
Now for many, the pig has become a real source of good income. It is grown both in specialized industrial complexes and in private farms. But in any case, a person who is going to engage in pig farming does not lose out in choosing his own business.