The pig, such as the Visayan Warty Pig (Sus cebifrons) has short, stiff, spiky, coarse hairs called bristles.

Pig bristles stick up, especially the hairs on a pig’s back. 

Pig bristles, usually hog bristles, are often used to make paint brushes, especially for oil painting. Pig brisltes are springy and flexible, with natural split-ends that can hold a lot of paint, impasto style.

Natural paint brushes are also made from sable martens, squirrels, camel, oxen, ponies, and goats. Some animals have soft hair and others have stiff hair. Soft hair brushes are mostly used for thin, watercolour paint. Stiff brushes are mostly used for for thick paint.

Paint brushes are also made from non-natural sources of hair. These are called synthetic brushes. Synthetic brushes are made from treated nylon or polyester filaments. These brushes are usually used for acrylic paint.

Location of photograph: Paris Zoo, France

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM