Certain abilities humans possess are often taken for granted simply because we’ve always had them. One such ability is our capacity to look up. Interestingly, this is something that pigs, due to the unique way their bodies are structured, cannot do.

The reason lies in the anatomy of their necks and spines. Pigs have eyes located on the sides of their heads, a common trait among prey animals that need to keep a vigilant watch for predators. This gives them an impressive panoramic view of 310 degrees. However, it also means they have a blind spot directly in front of their snouts and directly above their heads, limiting their upward vision to a mere 50 degrees.

But it’s not that pigs never see the sky. Over time, they’ve adapted their behavior to work around their physical limitations. When curious about the sky or anything above them, pigs will step back and tilt their heads to catch a glimpse. Alternatively, they might lie on their sides or back, a position that allows them to fully view the sky or anything else sitting above the typical line of sight. This means pigs can look at the sky if they want to, albeit through a process of creative angling, rather than simply lifting their heads.

Understanding such unique characteristics in animals enhances our appreciation of their abilities and adaptations. While pigs are not designed to lift their heads and gaze skyward, their behavior showcases their ingenuity in interacting with their environment. Despite the limitations of their anatomy, pigs manage to witness the world from a perspective uniquely their own.