PIG ! HOG FAMILY: Enjoying Yourself

The Family of Suidae is either called “Pigs” or “Swine”. “Pig” refers to any wild or domesticated animal in the Suidae Family. “Hog” is only used for domesticated Pigs on a farm or for Warthog of Africa. “Boar” has two uses – a male pig or the wild Pigs native to Europe and Asia.

Suidae live in forests and woodlands and are divided into five groups. They are Pigs (Sus), African Bush Pigs (Potamochoerus), Giant Forest Hogs (Hylochoerus), Warthogs (Phacochoerus), and Babirusa (Babyrousa). Suidae are native to Eurasia and Africa but not to North and South America or Australia. Wild Pigs of those places are domestic Hogs gone feral.

Surefooted and fast runners, Pigs live in tall grass or reeds. Contrary to popular beliefs, Pigs rarely overeat. They can live nearly everywhere because Pigs can find food anywhere. They root in the ground with their snouts for roots and mushrooms. Pigs also eat Worms and Snakes that They find. However, wherever Pigs are, They need water to wallow in, since Pigs have few sweat glands.

Pigs that most people are acquainted with are European Wild Boars. Domestic Hogs are descendents of Wild Boars that roam in Asia and Europe. Bush Pigs live in Africa, south of the Sahara. Like other Swine, They do their rooting after dark. Giant Forest Hogs, who have crescent-shaped growths under their eyes, also live in Africa. These Hogs were not discovered until the early 20th Century. Of course, also living in Africa are the fierce looking Warthogs, with bumps on their cheeks.

The most bizarre looking of all Mammals is Babirusa. Living in the Celebes and Moluccas Islands (of Indonesia), this Pig has tusks which grows through the roof of his snout before curving backwards. His name “Babirusa” means “pig deer”.

Among the ancient people of Britain, Pigs were important and powerful. They provided sustenance and knowledge to people. Since Pigs were incredibly fertile, people thought that They were from the Gods. In addition, ancient people told stories of how Pigs guided people to hidden knowledge such as the healing waters of Bath, England.

Pigs know how to have fun. In the mornings, They root around snorting and grunting to each other. Meanwhile, little Piglets run around and play. Later in the day, all the Pigs pile next to each other and sleep. They stretch out in their cool wallow, and snore in the warm sun. Pigs enjoy themselves and the day. Learn how to do the same from Pigs.

Pig Family’s Teachings Include:
“The Pig shatters perceptions but like a mother with a child, makes you face new and often frightening experiences in order to grow into full awareness.” Copyright: “Beasts of Albion”, Miranda Gray.

“You can open yourself to the abundance that exist through nature. Allow yourself to feast on life–to enjoy its beauties and its sensual delights.” Copyright: “Boar”, “The Druid Animal Oracle”, Philip and Stephanie Carr-Gomm.

“I like pigs. All dogs look up to you. All cats look down to you. Only the pig looks at you as an equal.” -- Winston Churchill.

Pig Family’s Wisdom Includes:

How to Nurture

Guide to Knowledge

How to Flourish

Having Common Sense

Being Intelligent

Intuitively Know How to Respond In Any Situation

Being Charge of Personal Space

ENTELODONT (“TERROR PIG”): How to Deal with Bullies

Called the “Pig from Hell”, Entelodont was more than a carnivorous Pig, He was also a top predator during the Eocene epoch (40 million years ago) and the Oligocene epoch (25 million years ago).  One of the biggest meat-eaters on the earth, Entelodont was also mean and ugly.  Besides bumpy growths all over his face, He had also sharp, piercing canine teeth.

            Also known as the “Terror Pig”, Entelodont fought with other Entelodonts over everything.  Many fossil skulls of Entelodont were found with holes in them caused by various fights with others.  Entelodont fought by jamming his rival’s head into his mouth and biting down hard.  Although Entelodont possessed bone-crushing jaws, He and his rivals did survive their combats, to fight again, at another time.

            Entelodont may have resembled a Hog on steroids, but He was more closely related to Hippos and Whales.  Besides eating meat, He scavenged and ate plants too.  Furthermore, Entelodont stored his uneaten food for later use.  Because Entelodont was an opportunistic hunter, He was clever as well as fearsome. 

            Entelodont was a prehistoric bully.  Big and mean, He terrorized whomever He could, including his fellow Entelodonts.  However other Entelodonts could stand up to Him and live to tell about it.  Their secret was to have a thick head.  Like anyone dealing with bullies, you also need to be hard-headed.  Stand up to Entelodont, and do not let Him crush you.  Use your head, and realize that although He may be terrifying, you can defeat Entelodont.

Peccary / Javelina

Peccary / Javelina : Living in Close Knit Groups

Fierce and tenacious, Peccary was called by the Spanish: “Javelina” - the spear. This New World Relative of the Pig has tusks that grow downwards like daggers. Her canine teeth are normally used for cutting and slashing. However, when confronted, Peccary will click her teeth and charge.

Small and compact, Peccary has a grizzled brown body with a band of white hair. Mistaken for Pig by Europeans, She is a member of the Tayassuidae (Peccary) Family instead of the Suidae (Pig) Family. Unlike Pigs, Peccary has four hoofed toes on her front feet and three on her back ones.

What Peccary is known for is her musk smell. Also called “Musk Hog”, wherever She goes, She leaves a musk trail. Peccary also sniffs musk left behind to find out what her Friends are doing. Leaving musk everywhere is her form of “text messaging.” Even when They greet Each Other, Peccaries will sniff the Other’s rump.

Highly social, Peccary travels with her herd through the deserts and rainforests of the New World. The Tupi of Brazil called Her, “Pecary” meaning “many paths through the woods.” With her herd, Peccary ranges far and wide for food.

Living in a close knit group, Peccary safely roams her vast territory. Her Herd can even fends off Jaguar and Coyote. However, do not become so close knit that you drive off your own family members away as Peccary does.

Wisdom of the Peccary:
Keeping in Touch
Many Paths to Your Destination
Being Fierce and Tenacious

Science Notes:
Other names for Peccary: Musk Pig, Javelina. DO NOT Feed Peccaries or you will be attacked.

Razorbacks (Hogs) are feral pigs that escaped from the Spanish.

-----------------------

Copyright: Virginia Carper, Animal Teachers, 2008

From Universal Class, fun self-paced classes taught by me:

Finding Your Animal Teachers

Animals For Everyone: Mammals

-------------------