A pig's orgasm lasts for about 30 seconds, making it one of the longest in the animal kingdom.
Pigs Have 30-Second Orgasms (Not 30 Minutes)
You've probably heard the claim that pigs experience 30-minute orgasms. It's one of those "facts" that gets passed around at parties, shared on social media, and treated as gospel truth. But it's completely wrong.
The real number? About 30 seconds. Still impressive by mammalian standards, but a far cry from half an hour.
Where Did the Myth Come From?
Nobody knows exactly how the 30-minute figure started circulating, but it's become one of the internet's most persistent animal misconceptions. The error likely began as a typo or misremembering that snowballed into viral "fact."
What we do know is that pig reproduction is genuinely unusual enough to spark curiosity—and apparently, wild exaggeration.
What Actually Happens
Male pigs (boars) have a distinctive corkscrew-shaped penis that locks into the female's cervix during mating. The entire copulation process takes 5 to 20 minutes, during which the boar ejaculates gradually rather than all at once.
The orgasm itself—the peak muscular contractions—lasts roughly 30 seconds. This is still notably longer than most mammals, including humans (typically 3-10 seconds).
Why So Long?
Pig reproduction evolved for maximum efficiency. Here's what makes it unique:
- Massive ejaculate volume: Boars produce 200-500ml of semen per mating—compared to about 3-5ml in humans
- Extended delivery: All that fluid takes time to transfer
- Cervical locking: The corkscrew shape ensures nothing goes to waste
- Multiple contractions: Rather than one quick burst, the process involves sustained rhythmic contractions
Other Animals With Notable Orgasms
Pigs aren't alone in having unusual climaxes. Domestic cats have females that ovulate in response to mating, requiring painful barbed stimulation. Bonobos use sexual activity for social bonding and engage in face-to-face mating like humans.
And if you want truly bizarre? Flatworms engage in "penis fencing"—the loser becomes pregnant.
The Takeaway
Next time someone confidently states that pigs orgasm for 30 minutes, you can set the record straight. Thirty seconds is still pretty remarkable in the animal kingdom, and the actual biology of pig reproduction is fascinating enough without needing to inflate the numbers by a factor of 60.
Sometimes the truth is more interesting than the myth—even when it's 59.5 minutes shorter.