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| Trained pigs participating in the race at the New Jersey State Fair 1995 in Flemington, New Jersey (Photo: photo.net) |
In many places, pigs are considered foolish animals, known for eating and then lying down, appearing quite dull. However, this perception is incorrect.
In many cases, pigs are as intelligent as dogs, which humans regard as highly smart. Any tricks that dogs can perform, pigs can also accomplish. To the rhythm of music, performance pigs can dance, do flips, play with a wobbly board, and cross bridges, showcasing their talent in complex techniques. Scientists have even discovered that pigs have rich emotional expressions; they can use different sounds and growls, as well as gestures like ear flapping and tail wagging, to communicate their feelings. Pigs possess a highly sensitive sense of smell, so they are often asked to help find lost items or track scents on the battlefield.
In Germany, police units train wild pigs as “service pigs”. Not only can they locate firearms or toxic substances hidden deep in mud, but they can also unearth items buried by criminals. From this, it can be seen that pigs are actually very intelligent animals; it’s just that we have yet to fully understand them.
