Miniature Pigs — Human Companions
- Authors: Bystrova N.A1
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Affiliations:
- Issue: No 10 (2020)
- Pages: 49-54
- Section: Articles
- URL: https://journals.eco-vector.com/0032-874X/article/view/627948
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.7868/S0032874X20100063
- ID: 627948
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Abstract
The new breeds of miniature pigs have emerged due to the new direction of selection, associated not only with the requirements for the animal weightand height, but also, with its behavior. This article analyzes the behavioral characteristics of the species in general and those that developed in theprocess of domestication during the last 10 000 years provide a new system of interspecific relationship with humans. Based on a review of existingethological research on the abilities of typical companion animals (dog, cat, and horse), we state the requirements for pet behavior, which allows a person to perceive an animal as a family member. Although the experiments do not provide a complete picture, it is possible to identify such prerequisitesof pigs as successful mastering of skills like recognition of humans and their images. Difficulties in understanding human gestures are associated withthe anatomical features of a pigs head and face, however they are compensated by attention to persons spatial position and the preference of familiarpeople. The latter though creates an additional difficulty in the form of guarding the indoor place from strangers. The inevitable increasing selectionpressure on behavior is considered from the perspective of the destabilizing selection theory. Suggestions about the future changes in appearance, physiology, and behavior of miniature pigs are provided.
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