The 30-Minute Mating
Boar ejaculation can last up to 30 minutes — one of the longest mating durations of any mammal.
Among the more surprising facts about pig reproduction: boar ejaculation can last up to 30 minutes.
Pig mating is a lengthy affair. The corkscrew-shaped tip of the boar's penis locks into the cervix of the sow (a process that can take several minutes), followed by prolonged ejaculation. The entire process can take 5-30 minutes.
Why so long? Pigs produce enormous quantities of semen — up to 500 ml (about 2 cups) per ejaculation, compared to just a few ml for humans. This large volume takes time to transfer. The extended duration may also help ensure the sperm is deposited as deep as possible.
The behavior of boars during mating is notable — they often appear relaxed and may even fall asleep on top of the sow during the extended copulation.
Artificial insemination in pig farming has to account for this biology — technicians use equipment designed to mimic the natural locking mechanism to stimulate natural sperm absorption by the sow.