Why are pigs the nemesis of snakes?

In the impression of many people, pigs are animals associated with images of cute, gentle and silly. Their daily work consists of eating and sleeping. However, there is an interesting fact about pigs that not everyone knows that pigs are considered 'enemies' of snakes, because when these two animals meet, most snakes will become food for pigs.

1. Pigs are born with "armor"

Thick pig skin, stiff hair. Meanwhile, the shape of the snake's fangs is curved, making it difficult for it to bite and inject venom into the pig.

Venom needs to react with blood. Behind the pig's skin is a thick layer of fat that makes it difficult for the venom to spread quickly into the blood, and at the same time it will be slowly diluted.

In addition, adult domestic pigs have a genetic mutation in their cellular receptors that blocks the binding of a-neurotoxin, rendering the venom useless. So if the snake's fangs bite through the pig's skin, after a certain time the pig's body will detoxify itself for this amount of venom.

2. The fighting power of pigs is much higher than snakes

Domestic pigs look harmless, and generally do not like to exercise, but their fighting prowess is amazing, even comparable to wild boar.

 

The pig's sense of smell is very sharp, it can quickly find the snake. Then attack, bite or trample the snake to death and swallow it whole. Basically, when meeting a pig, the snake has no resistance.

3. Pig manure has the ability to repel snakes

Pig manure contains a large amount of pathogenic bacteria. If snakes crawl in pig manure, it is very susceptible to bacteria and disease-causing parasites in pig manure. Therefore, in the pigsty usually there is no presence of snakes.

4. Pigs that eat poisonous snakes are not poisoned?

Pigs can survive if they eat a poisonous snake. This is because digestive enzymes and strong acids in the stomach juice of pigs are able to break down snake venom into non-toxic proteins.

However, if pigs eat poisonous snakes while having wounds in the mouth and digestive tract, they will also be poisoned.