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Collared peccary Facts

Collared peccary Facts
Collared peccary, also known as javelina, is a pig-like mammal that belongs to the Tayassuidae family (New World pigs). It can be found in North, Central and South America. Collared peccary can survive in various types of habitats: tropical rainforests, deserts, woodlands and grasslands with sparse cacti and shrub vegetation. It can be also found near the agricultural fields and in the suburban areas, because they provide plenty of food. Collared peccaries were often on a target of hunters in the past because of their hide. Luckily, they tolerate hunting pressure and habitat fragmentation very well and they are still widespread and numerous in the wild.
Interesting Collared peccary Facts:
Collared peccary can reach 3 to 4 feet in length and 35 to 55 pounds of weight.
Collared peccary has short, coarse, dark grey coat. Hairs in the neck area are lighter in color than the rest of the body and they look like a collar (hence the name).
Collared peccary has large head with elongated snout and long, very sharp canine teeth (tusks) that protrude from the jaws. It has stocky body and slender legs. Compared with the Old World pigs, collared peccary has smaller body and thinner legs.
Collared peccary is active early in the morning and late in the evening. It rests in the shade of trees and cacti during the hottest part of a day. Collared peccary sleeps inside the burrows, under the roots of trees or in the caves during the night.
Collared peccary is an omnivore, but its diet is mostly based on plants. It likes to eat seed, prickly pears, berries, beans, tubers and root. Vegetarian diet is occasionally supplemented with insects, lizards and carrion.
Collared peccary lives in large family groups of 6 to 12 animals (rarely up to 50). Dominant male is the leader of the group.
Collared peccary is territorial animal. Each group protects its territory from the nearby groups.
Collared peccaries of both gender have musk gland on top of the rump. Musk produced in the gland is used for marking of territory and for identification of the members of the same group.
Collared peccary produces sharp barking and releases strong musk when it detects danger. It uses large, sharp tusks as a weapon against predators.
Natural enemies of collared peccary are coyotes, bobcats, jaguars, pumas and humans.
Mating season of collared peccary takes place all year round.
Pregnancy lasts 145 days and ends with 1 to 4 babies.
Babies are known as "reds" because they are covered with red fur at birth.
Females reach sexual maturity at the age of 8 to 14 months, males at the age of 11 months.
Collared peccary can survive 10 years in the wild and up to 20 years in the captivity.


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