Ugly Dog and Smug Pig

This duo was put on display at a shopping mall in Hong Kong to celebrate the upcoming change of the year from the Year of the Dog to the Year of the Pig.

One might think that this sharpei's expression stems from his jealousy that the pig will now be in the limelight. But I think it comes more from the shock that, possibly for the first time ever, the change from Dog to Pig will result in a better looking animal. What is this world coming to?

The piglet looks a bit smug, too.

Photo courtesy: Yahoo

Carpathian Edibles

Alcessa encountered this pair of Hungarian Mangalica pigs in a German Zoo last year. You can also call them poodle pigs, or blonde pigs - just check out their luscious locks. According to my online sources, this swine was bred in the Carpathian basin for its edibility.

These pigs have a certain charm to them. I'll be a bit less eager to partake of a BLT the next time I'm offered one.

Thanks for the photos, alcessa.

New Face in Town

There are a lot of pig faces to be found on the web, but you've never seen this one before. I bring you original uglies, baby.

It is believed that most pigs come from the Eurasian Wild Boar. It is also believed that while most livestock were first domesticated by nomadic peoples, the pig was domesticated by settled farmers. This is because pigs are difficult to herd and move over long distances. I think it's because Nomad Joe got a good look at one of these and thought better of it.

Photo courtesy: David Maddison

Pig PR

I know they say that pigs are very intelligent - even smarter than dogs and rats. But this pig sure isn't helping in the swine public relations department.

Thanks for the photo, Mat. I don't want to know where you encountered this particular specimen. I would rather enjoy my BLT in ignorance.

With Pride

I'll admit to being proud of these photos. Not that they are of high quality, mind you. I know they're not. I just feel that warm fuzzy glow of having contributed to society. The web has two new photos of warthogs thanks to me. You're welcome.

Take a look at the mane on the second one. He is wearing it with pride. Thanks, San Francisco Zoo, for housing these uglies.

Pig Face

This pig's face says it all. Well, assuming it could talk. But then, would he even say anything worthwhile? Probably not. Then the original point I made is pointless. The point is, just look at his ugly face and be glad you're human. Assuming you are.

Photo courtesy: www.lolpictures.com

Sorry, Gosh!

It seems that some people took exception with my Tarsier post, claiming that they are cute rather than ugly. Fine. Sorry! Didn't mean to offend.

Shall I return to an animal that is unequivocally ugly? Can we all agree that this warthog is to be abominated? Are there any complaints here?

Thanks for the shot, Kim.

Penitence?

It's high time we invited the warthog back to Ugly Overload. These animals are always welcome here. Vearl took this photo while on safari in Africa. These guys kneel so they can better root through the turf for food. Or maybe he's feeling penitent, given his looks. Who knows what's going on in these porcine brains.

As Promised - the Blonde Pig

They say blondes have more fun, and this pig proves it. Look at it, grinning and showing off, clearly enjoying life. Don't you envy it, even a little?

Combine this pig with its good friend, Black Pig, and you have an image of racial harmony. Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder would be so proud.

Thanks for the photos, Mark.

Huge Hog

This email was forwarded to me (thanks Melissa), and www.snopes.com verified the following details:

"We verified the details with Larry Earley himself, who told us:

"I shot a log boar hog on August 27, 2004. The pictures you have were taken on my property close to where the hog was shot. I have many more photos. I do not know the origin of the story on the Internet. It did not come from me. Half of the details are accurate. I shot the hog once with a .44 magnum (the one in the photo). The hog charged towards me after he was shot but he only covered about 20 feet of ground. I was 10 yards away when I shot, and I was backing up while keeping the crosshairs on the hog as he was moving towards me. That is typical with wild hogs, that is what makes them fun to hunt.

The hog was too big for scales that were available to me on a Friday evening (500 lb. scales), so we decided to let the processor estimate the weight for us. Smokin' Oak Sausage Co. in Branford, F,L did the processing for me and he put the weight between 1100 and 1200 lbs. The tusk on the right side was 8-1/4" above the gum line and the right tusk was broken and measured 5" above the gum. The hide with the head was weighed at 284 lbs. The taxidermist I am using measured the neck at 42" around and the length from his eye socket to the tip of his nose at 11-3/4". I just found out about the story on the internet yesterday. I think that it is hilarious that all of this has been going on. I'll be glad to talk to anyone about my hog."

Yikes, this is one huge pig. Still, all that bacon ...

Dynamic Duo

Mark, photographer extraordinaire, has taken some great photos of a pair of pigs he encountered and is sharing them with us.

















Allow me to introduce the black one. These two had a propensity for hamming it up for the camera (no pun intended), and had no shyness in displaying their unfortunate appearance. Stay tuned for the blonde one.

I don't know if images like these strengthen or weaken my desire for a BLT sandwich. I think I'll wait a few hours before heading to the deli.

Honey Baked

Once again I am horrified at how tasty ugly things can be. Poor pig makes me want some honey baked ham.

Photo courtesy: ces.purdue.edu

Big & Tasty

So big and ugly, but so tasty! What to do?

Photo courtesy: www.ananova.com

Ogre the Pig

Say hello to Ogre, one of the ugliest pigs on the web. Pigs are a naturally ugly animal, but Ogre takes it to a new level. He has paid no attention to his health, and he desperately needs to tend to his hygiene. At the rate he is going, he will be good for nothing more than websites like this, or the griddle.

These photos are brought to you by Lisa, and taken by Nancy Lee Andrews. Thank you both.

Bat Pig

This ugly pig must have been crossed with a bat. Dr. Moreau would be so proud.

Is he squeezing his eyes to keep himself from staring in the mirror?

Photo courtesy: Phrenetic's Flickr.

Southern California Style

This warthog has taken up residence at the San Diego Zoo. Evidently, this ugly has seen the pretty people of Southern California, and has become self-concious of his looks. To mitigate the effect his face has on his appearance, he has grown his hair out long and blonde, just like the people that come to oggle his hideousness.














Photo courtesy: Ashley.

Maybe he just feels bad because, as a male, he isn't allowed in the female-dominated sounder (that is what a society of warthogs is called) unless the ladies are in heat (in other words, until he are needed). Whatever the reason, this swine has an identity crisis.

Fluorescent Green Ugly?

This photo is making the rounds right now in the AP. Evidently, researchers at the University of Taiwan saw fit to inject fluorescent green protein into pig embryos. The result: they are the first to produce pigs (three males to date) that are thoroughly fluorescent from the inside out - their feet are green, their snouts are green, their teeth, eyes and skin are green - even their internal organs are green.




Photo courtesy: Reuters.




This isn't all, though. It turns out that they used jellyfish genetic material - which is why they also GLOW IN THE DARK when you shine a blue light on them.

Supposedly, these green pigs are going to help in human stem cell research. I fear, however, that they may have done no more than take an ugly animal and make it uglier.

To be complete, the Taiwanese should now produce some green chickens. Dr. Seuss would be so happy that we could then eat green eggs and ham, without contracting bacterial infections.

But wait, didn't they also use jellyfish genes in The Hulk? Great. Good job every one.

That's Some Pig

We need a 4H member, or a swineherd, to help us identify what kind of pig this is. If the official breed name doesn't include the word 'ugly', then they have failed us.

Pigs are supposedly even more intelligent than your average dog. This picture proves that. They seem to have gone out of their way to be ugly, and therefore unappetizing. Just seeing the rolls of skin, the grumpy grimace, those pointy ears, the wiry hair, and the muddied snout makes me rethink my love for bacon and ham.

Something tells me that if this were Wilbur, Charlotte might have spun her web to read something other than "That's Some Pig."

Aptly Named Warthog

When looking for good ugly, you can't go wrong doing an image search for warthogs. These beasts were aptly named.

I wonder if they are good for eating?

Photo courtesy: www.wonderclub.com.