What Animals Live Naturally With Pigs?

Pigs normally live in same-gender groups of 20 or more members. Adult males live solitary lives and become part of the group (sounders) of females during the mating season. They do not really co-exist intimately with any other animal species. There are a few exceptions here and there, such as the European redbreast robin and the magpie. The pig is also a host to a number of internal parasites such as nematodes (Ascaris sp), tape worms (Taenia solium) and whip worms (Trichuri spp), and external parasites such as ticks (Ixodes ricinus) and pig louse (Haematopinus suis).

  1. European Redbreast Robin

    • Pigs love to forage or root for food. They use their snouts to dig up roots or mushrooms and while doing so, they tend to unearth a number of worms and insects. Robins move along with the pigs, watching for insects they can feed on.

    Magpie

    • Another bird which profits from the company of the pigs is the magpie. The magpie often perches itself on the pig's back and carefully picks at the ticks and other parasites it finds in between the coarse bristles on the pig's back. The pig enjoys the treatment and welcomes the company of the bird.

    Endoparasites (Internal Parasites)

    • There are a number of parasites that live inside the pig without interfering too much with its health. The tapeworm and the whipworm for example, use pigs as intermediary hosts which help to get into primary hosts such as humans. The pig shows no symptoms; they remain unaffected by the presence of these parasites.

    Ectoparasites (External Parasites)

    • The pig also plays host to lice and ticks that live on its skin and feed on its blood. The pig usually wallows in mud to get rid of these pests and welcomes the services of birds such as the magpie to eliminate them.