The collared peccary, commonly known as the javelina, is native to the Americas, found from the southwestern United States through Central and South America. These animals are often mistakenly identified as wild pigs, but they belong to the peccary family (Tayassuidae). Javelinas are characterized by their coarse, grizzled hair and a faint white band of fur around the neck, giving them their common name. Their increasing presence in suburban areas of states like Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas has led to questions regarding their interactions with humans.
Identifying the Javelina Threat Level
Javelinas generally pose a low threat when unprovoked. They possess sharp, tusk-like canine teeth capable of inflicting serious wounds if they feel threatened. Injuries to people are rare and are usually linked to the animals being fed by humans, which causes them to lose their natural fear. A javelina’s bite carries the risk of infection and disease transmission, as they are known to be carriers of distemper and, rarely, rabies.
The threat level escalates significantly when javelinas encounter domestic dogs, which they perceive as a predator like a coyote. Protective attacks are common when a herd is cornered, startled, or defending its young. Their poor eyesight means they rely heavily on their acute senses of smell and hearing. This reliance sometimes causes them to “charge” when they are actually trying to locate an escape route. Because of this defensive nature, it is important to maintain a significant distance from any observed herd.
Understanding Javelina Behavior
Javelinas are highly social creatures that live in multi-generational family groups called squadrons, typically consisting of five to 15 individuals. These herds maintain and defend a home range. They communicate through vocalizations, including barks, grunts, and a distinct teeth-chattering sound. They rely on a musky scent gland located on the rump to mark territory and identify fellow herd members.
Javelinas are primarily crepuscular, meaning they are most active during the cooler hours of dawn and dusk. Their activity patterns shift seasonally to manage body temperature. In colder months, they may forage throughout the day to take advantage of sunlight and warmth. This habit is when they are most likely to enter residential areas seeking easy resources.
Defensive behaviors serve as warnings that an encounter is escalating. These include bristling the coarse hair on their back and emitting a loud, rapid clacking of their tusks. This noise signals that the animal feels threatened and may be preparing to defend itself. Attractants that draw them into residential zones often include unsecured garbage, accessible water features, and outdoor pet food.
Safety Protocols and Conflict Prevention
Managing the environment around a home is the most effective method for preventing conflicts with javelinas. The most successful strategy involves eliminating sources of food and water that draw the animals onto a property.
Securing Food Sources
Javelinas consume a wide variety of plant material, including garden vegetables, bulbs, and landscaping plants. To deter them, follow these steps:
- All garbage containers should be secured with locking lids or bungee cords.
- Store containers in a garage or shed until the morning of collection.
- Fallen fruit from trees must be promptly collected.
- Outdoor pet food or water bowls should be brought indoors overnight.
Fencing can exclude them, but it must be sturdy. Effective deterrence often requires a single-strand electric fence placed approximately 8 to 10 inches above the ground.
Protecting Pets
Pet owners must be vigilant, especially when walking dogs near natural habitats or during the animals’ active hours. Javelinas view dogs as a threat and are known to charge and attack them, often resulting in serious injury to the pet. Keep dogs on a short leash and be constantly aware of the surroundings where javelinas roam. Never allow a dog to chase or harass a javelina, as this guarantees a dangerous defensive response.
Actions During a Direct Encounter
If a direct encounter occurs, the immediate reaction should be to make your presence known without provoking a defensive charge. Because of their poor eyesight, using a loud voice, clapping, or stomping your feet can alert them to your presence. The goal is to encourage the animal to retreat without making it feel cornered.
It is essential to resist the urge to run, as this motion can trigger a chase response from the herd. Instead, slowly back away while continuing to make noise and maintaining eye contact if possible. You can try to appear larger by slowly raising your arms or holding a jacket above your head.
A more assertive deterrent, used only if the animal is not retreating, involves throwing small objects like rocks or gravel toward the ground near the animal’s feet. Never aim to hit the animal directly; the sudden noise and movement can be startling enough to make the javelina flee. If you have a small dog, pick it up immediately to remove the perceived threat and continue a slow, deliberate retreat.