Why pigs lie in the mud.

Taking a snooze in a mudhole may not sound very appealing for you. To a pig, however, a mud bath means coolness, comfort and protection from bothersome insects. after all, a pig can't buy insect repellent or sunscreen the way we can.

A thick coating of mud protects the pig's sensitive skin from bites and the sun's burning rays. The mud also helps keep the animal cool. With very few sweat glands, they cannot cool of by sweating. On hot days, they may pant as dogs do, but stretching out in cool mud is an even better way of escaping the heat of the summer afternoon.

Some people think that pigs are very dirty animals because of their habit of bathing in mud. Actually, pigs are very clean animals. Their relatives, wild hogs, seek out clean, fresh water for cooling off. And when barnyard pigs are given a choice, they prefer bathing in cool water to lying in the mud. Many farmers also help their pigs beat the heat by giving them frequent showers.