TAS Diary Archives
May 18, 2004
Games and activities for pigs
Today the pigs got a new toy! It's called a "Snak a Ball". It's actually a horse toy, but the pigs haven't read the box and seem to like it. Basically, it's a big red ball that you fill with pig nuts. As the pigs roll it around, the pig nuts fall out and get eaten.
They're really getting the hang of it. If they'd had it a couple of weeks ago they might have made Sven's squad. The dogs think it's pretty neat too. It we had a third dog, they could play three a side. They won't let Dan play because he's not good enough and eats too many of the nuts.
It keeps them happy and I'm sure the exercise will do them good.
Posted by Rosemary at May 18, 2004 9:33 PM
Comments
Similar feeder balls are used at the National Zoo in DC with the pandas and apes (and I'm sure at other zoos and with other animals). Of the two pandas Mei Xiang will gently shake hers to get the biscuits out, but Tian Tian just keeps batting his against the wall or rockwork until the biscuits stop falling out.
Posted by: T. Carter at May 19, 2004 1:51 PM
I've heard that pigs are fairly intelligent, but never having owned one, I can't be certain. Should I file this story away in my abstract "pigs really are smart" file or is it a fluke?
Sorry for what must seem to be a stupid querry.
-P
Posted by: patrick at May 19, 2004 10:17 AM