20 Pig Facts to Celebrate National Pig Day

The pork industry supports about 550,000 jobs.
Commercial pork production can be traced back to the 1800’s.
Pork accounts for 40% of all meat consumed around the world, which makes it the most consumed animal protein worldwide. China is the leader in pork consumption with 90 lbs. per person each year.
Pigs contribute to many other by-products such as gelatin and their hair is used for high quality paint brushes.
Pigs were the first animals to be domesticated. Learn more.
Bacon is one of the oldest meats in the world.
Over 2 billion pounds of bacon are produced each year in the U.S.
Adult pigs can run up to 11 mph. That’s a 7-minute mile.
A pig’s squeal can get up to 115 decibels. That’s only 3 decibels higher than a supersonic airliner.
Pigs have 20 different vocalizations to communicate with each other.
Pigs are naturally clean and organized. Learn more.
The average gestation length for most sows is 3 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days.
The average litter size around the globe is 6 to 10. In the U.S., however, the average liter is 13 pigs.
The largest litter ever recorded included 37 piglets. 36 were born alive and 33 survived.
Human heart valves are commonly replaced by porcine heart valves.
Pigs live n every continent expect Antarctica.
Denmark has more pigs than people.
Pigs have 15,000 taste buds, while humans only have 9,000.
They can drink up to 14 gallons of water a day.
Pigs need to eat 3 pounds of feed to gain 1 pound.