We stepped out our sliding glass door and could smell
them. The smell was distinctive. It was a dirty, musky, really nasty,
unpleasant smell. The smell became worse
when they realized we were on the steps and became excited. If you
have ever been in the southwest you know by now we are talking about Collared
Peccaries or Javelina. Many people call
them wild pigs but this is a misnomer.
The peccaries are classified in the family of the Tayassuidae because of
the anatomical differences from pigs.
The easiest way to differentiate the families is by the prints. The peccaries have three toes on the back
feet and pigs have four toes. Another
way to tell is by the tusks. On the
peccaries the upper tusks are short and pointed down. On wild pigs the tusks will curl up.
The Javelinas immediately started vocalizing. Their vocalizing falls into three categories
alert, aggressive and submissive. It is
very probable that the peccaries heard us before they saw us as their hearing
is suburb and their eyesight is limited.
In most cases peccaries are not considered dangerous if you don’t bother
them. However, peccaries are losing
their fear of people because humans are feeding them in their yards and in
campgrounds.
When Javelinas are excited they can become very
dangerous. They travel in bands of normally
six to twelve, but, have been seen in groups of 50. The adult male can weigh up to sixty pounds;
grow to five feet in length and two feet high. These slow moving animals can
become agile and fast and able to drive off predators as large as bobcats. Their tusks can cause serious injury and
these animals should be given respect. Do not assume they are afraid of people
and you are safe approaching them.
If you would like to view a group of Javelinas look for them
near permanent sources of water in the early morning and just before dusk. During the heat of the day they try to stay
in the shade as they cannot pant to prevent overheating. You will know you have found a group if you
can smell their musk and see an animal that has a bristly, dark grey coat. Look for a ring of white hair around the neck
hence the name Collared Peccary. They also
have stiff hairs running down their backs.
Remember to give these animals the respect they deserve and Do
not feed them. You may want to celebrate
your viewing of these interesting animals with a Javelina sign, Javelina socks or a Javelina
cap.
