The facinating body language of pigs!

It is estimated that at least 70% of human communication is nonverbal and, while no one has actually measured how much of a pig’s communication is nonverbal, we know that our pigs say a whole lot without uttering even one oink!

A pig’s body language is very expressive, but you must pay attention and know what you’re looking for. For example, we can tell if our pigs are happy, sad, excited, sick, or scared, just by looking at them. And our interpretation of their body language can often be verified by the accompanying sounds they make.

Over time, we’ve come to know each of our pigs’ likes and dislikes and we know what is considered usual, verses unusual, behaviour for each pig. But if you are with pigs that you don’t know as well as we know our own residents, there are some general body language signs that you can watch out for to know how a pig is feeling. Generally speaking, a pig will communicate the following emotions through their body language:

I’m happy
Similar to dogs, a happy pig will have a wagging tail but, unlike a dog, when a pig is happy their hackles (the shorter, coarser hairs of the neck and back) will become erect. In other mammals, when this happens, it usually means that the animal is fearful or is trying to show dominance over another animals that are nearby. It’s usually a visual warning signal, but for pigs, it’s the exact opposite. Rub a pig’s  tummy and those hairs will be standing at attention in no time!

I’m sad
A sad pig will mope around just like a human. There will be a change in their pace when they are walking, and they will often hang their heads down low.

I’m excited
If you’ve never seen it, it’s a sight to behold. Pigs get the zoomies! They will run and run, and they can reach speeds of up to 17 km/hr (11 miles/hr). If a pig is excited and has the zoomies, it’s best to just step out of their way and let them run it off! Another sign that a pig is excited is when they confidently strut right up to us – head held high and full of positive energy.

I’m sick
Just like all of us, when pigs are very sick, they will take to their beds and stay there. Their lethargic body language will speak volumes about how they are feeling.

I’m scared
When a pig is scared, they will not want to be touched and or even be in the presence of others, if they can avoid it. Often when they are scared, a pig will cower, crouch and/or crawl away to a safe space.