{"id":81299,"date":"2022-04-22T11:55:01","date_gmt":"2022-04-22T11:55:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-pigs-have-to-find-truffles\/"},"modified":"2022-04-22T11:55:01","modified_gmt":"2022-04-22T11:55:01","slug":"why-do-pigs-have-to-find-truffles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-pigs-have-to-find-truffles\/","title":{"rendered":"Why do pigs have to find truffles?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_17 counter-hierarchy counter-decimal ez-toc-grey\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"display: none;\"><i class=\"ez-toc-glyphicon ez-toc-icon-toggle\"><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1\"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-pigs-have-to-find-truffles\/#Why_do_pigs_have_to_find_truffles\" title=\"Why do pigs have to find truffles?\">Why do pigs have to find truffles?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-pigs-have-to-find-truffles\/#Do_they_use_pigs_to_find_truffles\" title=\"Do they use pigs to find truffles?\">Do they use pigs to find truffles?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-pigs-have-to-find-truffles\/#How_much_are_truffles_that_pigs_find\" title=\"How much are truffles that pigs find?\">How much are truffles that pigs find?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-pigs-have-to-find-truffles\/#Do_pigs_go_crazy_when_they_eat_truffles\" title=\"Do pigs go crazy when they eat truffles?\">Do pigs go crazy when they eat truffles?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-pigs-have-to-find-truffles\/#How_do_pigs_not_eat_the_truffles\" title=\"How do pigs not eat the truffles?\">How do pigs not eat the truffles?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-pigs-have-to-find-truffles\/#Do_truffle_pigs_get_to_eat_the_truffles\" title=\"Do truffle pigs get to eat the truffles?\">Do truffle pigs get to eat the truffles?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-pigs-have-to-find-truffles\/#Are_truffle_pigs_valuable\" title=\"Are truffle pigs valuable?\">Are truffle pigs valuable?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-pigs-have-to-find-truffles\/#Do_they_still_use_pigs_to_hunt_truffles\" title=\"Do they still use pigs to hunt truffles?\">Do they still use pigs to hunt truffles?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-pigs-have-to-find-truffles\/#Do_they_use_dogs_or_pigs_to_find_truffles\" title=\"Do they use dogs or pigs to find truffles?\">Do they use dogs or pigs to find truffles?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-pigs-have-to-find-truffles\/#Are_there_truffle_pigs\" title=\"Are there truffle pigs?\">Are there truffle pigs?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-pigs-have-to-find-truffles\/#How_are_truffles_found\" title=\"How are truffles found?\">How are truffles found?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-pigs-have-to-find-truffles\/#How_much_are_truffle_hunting_pigs_worth\" title=\"How much are truffle hunting pigs worth?\">How much are truffle hunting pigs worth?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-pigs-have-to-find-truffles\/#How_many_truffles_can_a_pig_find\" title=\"How many truffles can a pig find?\">How many truffles can a pig find?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-pigs-have-to-find-truffles\/#Can_any_pig_find_truffles\" title=\"Can any pig find truffles?\">Can any pig find truffles?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-pigs-have-to-find-truffles\/#Do_truffles_make_pigs_crazy\" title=\"Do truffles make pigs crazy?\">Do truffles make pigs crazy?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-pigs-have-to-find-truffles\/#What_happens_when_you_give_a_pig_a_truffle\" title=\"What happens when you give a pig a truffle?\">What happens when you give a pig a truffle?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-pigs-have-to-find-truffles\/#Can_pigs_eat_truffles\" title=\"Can pigs eat truffles?\">Can pigs eat truffles?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-pigs-have-to-find-truffles\/#Do_pigs_poop_out_truffles\" title=\"Do pigs poop out truffles?\">Do pigs poop out truffles?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-pigs-have-to-find-truffles\/#How_do_you_keep_pigs_from_eating_truffles\" title=\"How do you keep pigs from eating truffles?\">How do you keep pigs from eating truffles?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-pigs-have-to-find-truffles\/#Why_cant_pigs_eat_truffles\" title=\"Why can&#8217;t pigs eat truffles?\">Why can&#8217;t pigs eat truffles?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-pigs-have-to-find-truffles\/#Do_pigs_pick_up_truffles\" title=\"Do pigs pick up truffles?\">Do pigs pick up truffles?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/why-do-pigs-have-to-find-truffles\/#Do_pigs_actually_eat_truffles\" title=\"Do pigs actually eat truffles?\">Do pigs actually eat truffles?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_do_pigs_have_to_find_truffles\"><\/span>Why do pigs have to find truffles?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Pigs have been traditionally used to hunt truffles. This is because <b>they have an excellent sense of smell and are beckoned to the truffle, as they contain androstenol, a sex hormone found in the saliva of male pigs.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_they_use_pigs_to_find_truffles\"><\/span>Do they use pigs to find truffles?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Pigs are natural foragers and root for food in the ground with their snouts. <b>It was female pigs, however, which were primarily used to find truffles. They were perfect for this task because truffles contain a &#8216;musk-like&#8217; substance, also synthesised in the sexual organs of the male pig.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_much_are_truffles_that_pigs_find\"><\/span>How much are truffles that pigs find?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Almost nobody uses trained pigs. He said he knew of one working truffle pig in North America, on Vancouver Island in Canada. But by means canine or porcine, truffle hunting is high stakes. In Northern Italy and southeastern France, where the most expensive truffles grow, the price can <b>top $10,000 a pound<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_pigs_go_crazy_when_they_eat_truffles\"><\/span>Do pigs go crazy when they eat truffles?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>So what makes a female pig go so crazy over truffles? The musky aroma is similar to that of a potential mate&#8217;s pheromone, so strong and recognizable to the snout, that even though buried deep inside the ground, the pigs still manage to find them.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_pigs_not_eat_the_truffles\"><\/span>How do pigs not eat the truffles?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The smell to the pig, in essence, leads to a male and . . . well, you get the idea, so in order to prevent the eager pigs from devouring the culinary prizes, <b>they must be kept on strong rope leashes so that the trifolau (or truffle hunter) can take over and carefully harvest them before they are damaged or eaten.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_truffle_pigs_get_to_eat_the_truffles\"><\/span>Do truffle pigs get to eat the truffles?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Sometimes referred to as truffle hogs, trained pigs can find truffles that are up to 3 feet deep underneath the ground. <b>Pigs enjoy eating truffles, though, so unless they are properly trained, humans won&#8217;t benefit from their finds because the truffles are likely to be devoured quickly.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_truffle_pigs_valuable\"><\/span>Are truffle pigs valuable?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Poaching, theft, tax evasion, fraud and poisoning have corrupted the rare and luxurious truffle industry. A fully trained Lagotto Romagnolo, the Italian dog breed prized for its truffling abilities, <b>can cost as much as $10,000, and stealing such dogs is a common crime among rival hunters.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_they_still_use_pigs_to_hunt_truffles\"><\/span>Do they still use pigs to hunt truffles?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>For centuries, pigs and truffles went hand in hand. <b>Today they are used by very few farmers for hunting, but still create great delight, when featured in regional truffle festivals.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_they_use_dogs_or_pigs_to_find_truffles\"><\/span>Do they use dogs or pigs to find truffles?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Today, <b>dogs (known as truffle hounds) are commonly used for gathering truffles in place of truffle hogs, as pigs have been known to eat too many truffles in the field. Unlike pigs, dogs have no natural affinity for truffles, and must be specially scent to locate them.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_there_truffle_pigs\"><\/span>Are there truffle pigs?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Truffle hogs have been popular for centuries because of their ability to forage for roots and foods in the ground using their scent glands. Females are particularly effective at truffle hunting because truffles emit a musky scent that is reminiscent of that of male pigs.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_are_truffles_found\"><\/span>How are truffles found?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>usually found in close association with tree roots. Spore dispersal is accomplished through fungivores, animals that eat fungi.<\/b>Extraction.Truffle dogTruffle hogMust be trainedInnate ability to sniff out trufflesEasier to controlTendency to eat truffles once found1 more row<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_much_are_truffle_hunting_pigs_worth\"><\/span>How much are truffle hunting pigs worth?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Most truffle hunting pigs cost <b>a couple of thousand dollars. Some cost less, especially if they are younger and have not been fully trained. Proven pigs may cost a little more. It is rare to see a truffle-hunting pig up for sale at the cost of $25,000.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_many_truffles_can_a_pig_find\"><\/span>How many truffles can a pig find?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If the conditions are met, pigs will basically always produce a truffle each day. Those with higher friendship levels have a chance to find <b>more than one truffle per day, similar to how cows will produce large milk when they like you more. A pig with maxed friendship has a 66% chance to find multiple.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_any_pig_find_truffles\"><\/span>Can any pig find truffles?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The best way to know a truffle is ripe and ready to harvest is from the aroma that it gives off. Any harvested before or after this aromatic time will have very little value-and dogs and pigs can smell the subterranean fungi. <b>Pigs have been traditionally used to hunt truffles<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_truffles_make_pigs_crazy\"><\/span>Do truffles make pigs crazy?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Yes, it mostly comes down to aroma . . . so much so, that it is often said that to humans, <b>truffles are much an aphrodisiac as to the relentless pigs that pursue them.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_happens_when_you_give_a_pig_a_truffle\"><\/span>What happens when you give a pig a truffle?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Pigs have been traditionally used to hunt truffles. This is because <b>they have an excellent sense of smell and are beckoned to the truffle, as they contain androstenol, a sex hormone found in the saliva of male pigs. (Females are used to hunt).<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_pigs_eat_truffles\"><\/span>Can pigs eat truffles?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Sometimes referred to as truffle hogs, trained pigs can find truffles that are up to 3 feet deep underneath the ground. <b>Pigs enjoy eating truffles, though, so unless they are properly trained, humans won&#8217;t benefit from their finds because the truffles are likely to be devoured quickly.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_pigs_poop_out_truffles\"><\/span>Do pigs poop out truffles?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>No. They are a mushroom that grows underground, at the base of certain trees. Originally they were farmed by specially trained pigs that would be able to smell them.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_you_keep_pigs_from_eating_truffles\"><\/span>How do you keep pigs from eating truffles?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The smell to the pig, in essence, leads to a male and . . . well, you get the idea, so in order to prevent the eager pigs from devouring the culinary prizes, they must be <b>kept on strong rope leashes so that the trifolau (or truffle hunter) can take over and carefully harvest them before they are damaged or eaten.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_cant_pigs_eat_truffles\"><\/span>Why can&#8217;t pigs eat truffles?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Though, they also like all other food, and can be convinced to give the truffle up. However, <b>pigs can cause a lot of damage to the terrain, and so they have been outlawed in Italy for hunting truffles.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_pigs_pick_up_truffles\"><\/span>Do pigs pick up truffles?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Pigs have a chance to dig up a truffle on every farm that they are left outside (more info below). This means that each day, the location of any generated truffles will be random, based on where the pig has walked. It is not necessary to stay on the farm for pigs to produce truffles.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_pigs_actually_eat_truffles\"><\/span>Do pigs actually eat truffles?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Pigs have been traditionally used to hunt truffles. This is because they have an excellent sense of smell and are beckoned to the truffle, as they contain androstenol, a sex hormone found in the saliva of male pigs. (Females are used to hunt).<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Table of Contents Why do pigs have to find truffles?Do they use pigs to find truffles?How much are truffles that pigs find?Do pigs go crazy when they eat truffles?How do pigs not eat the truffles?Do truffle pigs get to eat the truffles?Are truffle pigs valuable?Do they still use pigs to hunt truffles?Do they use dogs&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"spay_email":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81299"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=81299"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81299\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=81299"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=81299"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=81299"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}