We have all heard the expression "sweat like a pig" or "I'm sweating like a pig". Most likely we have even used it ourselves. But are you sure that this expression corresponds to reality? Can pigs happen? Pigs are animals widely used in proverbs and popular culture, and there are multiple myths about them. However, today we will reveal the truth about pigs' ability to sweat. Do pigs sweat? Find out on our site!
Is it true that pigs don't sweat?
Surely we ask ourselves, after having read the introduction, if in this case popular knowledge is true or if it is an exaggeration or false attribution about pigs. In this regard it must be said that indeed, we are dealing with a myth or unfounded popular belief, since pigs do not have the ability to sweat in the same way as us.
So, Why don't pigs sweat? We must know that these mammals, anatomically, lack the sweat glands responsible for generating sweat, something that we humans do present. For this very reason a pig cannot sweat.
This fact makes pigs resort to other methods of body temperature regulation, such as rolling in mud or submerging in waterWe even know that in desperate situations where they lack a moist environment to cool off, they may wallow in their own droppings and urine in order to survive the heat and lack of moisture on their skin.
What animals sweat? Do dogs and cats sweat?
Now you know that it is false to say that pigs sweat. Although it may have surprised you, they are far from the only animals that do not sweat. In general, mammals tend to present mechanisms of self-regulation of body temperature. Although, the methods change appreciably from one to another.
Primates, ursids or humans have glands, the sweat glands, which are responsible for secreting sweat, which has the function of refreshing our body. However, not all mammals have these glands, this is the case of dogs or cats, as well as rodents. They have other tactics to control their body temperature.
Do cats sweat? In the case of cats, we must say that they do sweat. They do it through pads, chin, anus and lips. In addition, one of these self-regulation strategies is the well-known " body grooming" that they perform incessantly. Well, thanks to their own saliva, they keep their fur and skin moist, which is very refreshing. Do dogs sweat? Yes, they do too, through their tongues, panting and pads.
On the contrary, amphibians and reptiles are generally animals that lack internal mechanisms to regulate their temperature, so they need the heat from the sun or other outside sources to keep their body at a comfortable temperature for them.
Where does the expression sweat like a pig come from?
As we have seen, pigs cannot sweat, so where did this famous expression come from? To know the origins of this phrase, we must go back centuries, to United Kingdom It is there that the expression originated, since it does not refer to the pig as an animal, if not to what in English is known as " pig iron ", which is a product obtained after melting iron in a special oven, in Spanish this is called pig iron.
The English expression would be "Sweating like a pig" and it refers to the fact that when iron is melted, at very high temperatures, and is later poured into molds so that it takes the desired shape, a mold is used called "pig". The name came from the resemblance of this mold to the shape of the pig's breasts And sweating meant that to know if the iron had solidified, the perceptible sign was a layer of liquid on its surface, the sweat of the pig.
Is the pig the cleanest animal?
When we said that pigs have been mistreated by popular knowledge and beliefs, we were not only referring to the myth that they sweat excessively, as there are other myths that concern them. One of them, and perhaps the most widespread, is that pigs are dirty animals. It's not uncommon to hear references to pigs when someone doesn't shower or has a stain on their clothes, for example.
Once again, this is an unwise belief, because pigs are clean animals as long as they have enough space and a he althy environment conditions. If these requirements are met, the pig will defecate far from its place of recreation, where it eats, sleeps and interacts with other pigs.
However, these animals are extremely sensitive to thermal conditions. In fact, it has been shown that in temperatures above 29 ºC or in confinement, the pig begins to show abnormal behavior, defecating and urinating where it can and in that case, yes, leaving the pigsty in disgust.
In addition, it should not be forgotten that pigs are very intelligent and sensitive animals, so they must always be treated with respect and provided with decent living conditions.
Breeds of pigs
When we talk about pigs, perhaps we do not take into account the large number of different breeds that we can find. Some of the most frequent and widespread are:
- Vietnamese: Known for being a small pig and very popular until recently as a pet. They are a good choice only if we know their needs in detail and we take into account that, although smaller, they are still a pig.
- Iberian: this Spanish breed is famous throughout the world for its use in the meat industry, however it is a breed especially friendly. His hair is dark, usually either red or black.
- Yorkshire: from the county of York, in England, pink in color and with a long and wide body. They have a great reproductive capacity, and there are records of litters of more than 12 piglets.
- Landrace: European breed, originating in Denmark, white in color and with a longer body than any other breed.
- Hampshire: they have different colors than other races, as they have a pattern in which black and white are mixed. They have a white stripe on the front of their body, covering their front legs.
- Duroc: of American origin, they have a rustic anatomy and have great adaptive capacities, their skin is a tone that goes from yellowish red to dark.
