It’s easy for people to wonder why pigs need mud, knowing that they are often pictured swimming happily in a pool of it.
Why do pigs really need mud? Pigs mostly need mud because it helps them stay cool. Unlike us, pigs have very little sweat glands, most of which don’t even work at all. By wallowing in mud, they are able to regulate their body temperature better.
It’s actually amusing to finally find out what mud really means to pigs. After all, their love for mud is one of the reasons why people always think that they’re dirty.
There actually are questions being raised about pig farms that don’t provide mud holes for their pigs. This would not only leave your pigs having a hard time to keep cool when it gets too hot, it also leaves them emotionally unwell.
Interestingly enough, there are a lot more reasons why pigs need mud other than these basic ones. Read on to find out more about them.
Primary Reasons Pigs Need Mud
As it turns out, pigs do not wallow in mud just for the sake of it. They do have a number of good reasons to make this part of their regular routine.
Knowing these reasons is also important because it gives pig parents some insight as to why they really need a mud hole. It’s not just a luxury for pigs – it is an actual necessity for them.
- Regulates body temperature
Before we dive into how mud helps regulate a pig’s body temperature, it is first important to understand what sweat glands do for the body.
Notice how we sweat each time we feel hot? Our sweat glands secrete perspiration to maintain our ideal body temperature, which should be around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sweat is made up of salts and amino acids. When they evaporate into the air, it cools the skin underneath it as an effect.
So what does this have to do with pigs?
Well, pigs have very few sweat glands, unlike humans that have sweat glands all over their body. And those few sweat glands that pigs have don’t even work well at all! This means that pigs are unable to cool themselves without a little extra help.
Thus, the mud.
Mud has the same effect on a pig’s skin as sweat does on a human body.
So why can’t we just provide water for pigs to bathe in, instead of mud?
Water evaporates really fast, which means that its cooling effect is also fleeting. Mud, on the other hand, does not really evaporate that fast. This means that it cools down the pig’s body a lot longer.
- Promotes emotional well-being
When humans feel hot, they can always take a shower or take a dip in the tub. But why do they decide to go to the beach or take a dip in the pool sometimes?
Because they don’t just want to cool off. They also want to have fun.
The same is true for pigs.
Wallowing in mud is emotionally uplifting for pigs. Pigs are, after all, very emotional and social creatures. The things they do are not just for the sake of need or productivity. Some of the things they do, like relaxing in the mud, are for their enjoyment.
- Protects their skin from the sun
Ever notice how a pig’s skin is a nice shade of pink?
That’s also partly because of the mud.
Mud is a great sunscreen that protects the pig’s skin from the harsh ultraviolet rays of the sun. Especially when the mud dries up on the pig’s skin, it starts to serve as a barrier between the pig’s skin and the sun’s rays.
- Controls the presence of parasites
Insects and parasites know for a fact that wherever there are pigs, there’s also plenty of food. This is why they are drawn to areas where there are pigs around.
Sadly, this can also cause huge problems for your pet. Especially when parasites start clinging onto them. Parasites will cause your beloved pigs to get sick and will highly impact the way they move and behave.
The great thing about mud is that it protects pigs from these insects and parasites. Especially when they have a good, thick layer of mud on them, no insect (especially the biting ones) would dare cling onto your pet pig.
- Part of their genes
In the Wageningen University and Research Centre, an expert named Marc Bracke looked at 66 other studies conducted on animals that wallow in mud.
Yes, he agrees that the primary reason they do this is to cool themselves off. However, he also believes that the main reason pigs never developed sweat glands was because genetically, they were MEANT to wallow. Wallowing has always been part of their lifestyle.
You see, a pig’s genes can be traced back to hippos and whales. It’s possible that pigs are a result of an evolution that started in water-based mammals that turned into land-based ones.
Now, even if they’re completely land-based, something in their brain still makes them look for an excuse to look for mud holes around. This is exactly why they wallow in mud. They were programmed to do it.
Does This Mean Pigs are Dirty?
Normally, people would associate pigs with dirt. But in reality, pigs are among the cleanest animals there are.
For one thing, you shouldn’t really be offended when people tell you you’re sweating like a pig. Pigs don’t sweat because of their lack of functional sweat glands. So no, they won’t really stink even if they feel hot.
Pigs also hate it when their sleeping or eating area is dirty. In fact, you won’t see them defecating anywhere near their bedding or near their eating area. They would only do so when left with no choice, like if they don’t really have any other space to do it.
So why do people have this misconception that pigs are dirty and smelly?
Mud, for one thing, is something that humans would always see as dirty. But now that you know why pigs roll and wallow in mud, you also know that they don’t do this to become dirty.
The truth is, once the mud is washed off, their skin is cleaner than anybody else’s skin in the farm. The mud actually does wonders for their skin’s health.
Crowded pig farms are also to blame for pigs’ bad reputation. A lot of pig farms force a number of pigs to share a small, cramped space. Because of this, pigs have no choice but to let go of their natural instinct to stay clean.
Some commercial pig farms also fail to clean the pigs’ living area as often as needed, so the entire place ends up being smelly and dirty.
Related Questions
Do pigs need shade?
Pigs have very thin skin, so they still need some shade to protect them especially when it’s hot outside. The extreme heat from the sun can also cause problems for their skin, and can cause heatstroke as well. Even if they play around in mud to cool themselves off, some decent shade should still be provided for them outdoors.
Do pigs like water?
Although pigs live mud, they actually enjoying swimming around in water, too! In fact, some pigs prefer water to mud, although water evaporates from their skin quite easily, so mud tends to have a longer lasting cooling effect. Pigs are excellent swimmers, too.
What do pigs eat?
Pigs can eat just about anything! Their usual diet consists of grains and vegetables, plus a few protein sources. Their tummy also has the ability to segregate toxins and keep them hidden within their fats, so you can feed pigs garbage and they would still be able to digest it properly.
