The javelina, or Collared Peccary, is a common resident of the Southwestern United States, Central and South America. Often mistaken for a wild pig due to its snout and stocky body, the javelina belongs to the separate mammalian family Tayassuidae. These mammals typically weigh between 35 and 60 pounds and are known for their defensive and territorial nature. Understanding their behavior and specific defensive triggers is key to safely coexisting with them.
Understanding Their Temperament
Javelinas are not inherently aggressive but are motivated by a powerful herd instinct and an acute sense of self-preservation. They are highly social, living in cohesive family units called herds, or squadrons, which typically range from five to fifteen individuals. A perceived threat to one member is interpreted as a threat to the entire group, leading to a unified defensive display.
A javelina’s sensory profile significantly influences its behavior. They possess a keen sense of smell, used for foraging and herd identification, but have notoriously poor eyesight, often struggling to see objects clearly beyond three feet. This poor vision can cause them to appear erratic or even to charge when they are attempting to escape or identify an unknown object. When not provoked, their natural reaction to human presence is usually to scatter and flee.
Javelinas primarily move and forage during the cooler parts of the day—dawn, dusk, and at night, especially during hot summer months. They use a strong, musky scent from a gland on their rump to mark territory and identify herd members. This territorial marking, combined with their tendency to forage near human residences, can sometimes bring them into conflict with people.
Situations That Provoke Defensive Behavior
Defensive behavior is almost always a response to a perceived threat, signaled by teeth clacking, growling, or a raised mane of hair. The protection of their young, which are born reddish-brown and called “reds,” is a strong trigger. A female javelina with her young is highly protective and will confront anything she perceives as a danger.
Another common trigger is feeling trapped or cornered, which happens easily in residential areas like fenced yards or patios. Due to their poor eyesight, rapid movements or an inability to find an escape route can escalate their fear response, leading to a sudden defensive charge. In these situations, the animal’s powerful, straight, self-sharpening canine teeth become a defensive weapon.
Interactions with domestic dogs represent one of the most frequent causes of negative encounters. Javelinas view dogs as natural predators, such as coyotes or bobcats, and will aggressively defend their herd, especially their young, against a dog’s presence. The javelinas’ pack mentality means that a single dog can quickly find itself surrounded and attacked by the entire herd, often resulting in serious injury to the pet.
The habituation of javelinas to human food sources increases the likelihood of conflict. When javelinas are intentionally or unintentionally fed—by unsecured garbage, pet food left outdoors, or fallen fruit—they lose their natural fear of people and may become possessive over the resource. Bites to humans are overwhelmingly associated with these feeding situations, where the animal views the person as a competitor for the food.
Strategies for Safe Coexistence
Preventing javelina encounters primarily involves removing attractants from your property by securing all potential food and water sources. Garbage cans should be secured with locking lids or stored in an enclosed area until pickup to prevent nighttime foraging. Pet food and water bowls should always be brought inside after use, and fallen fruit beneath trees should be regularly collected.
To deter javelinas from entering a yard, solid fencing is more effective than wire mesh. A single strand of electric fencing placed 8 to 10 inches off the ground can also be highly effective for protecting gardens.
If a javelina is confined to an area like a yard, the best action is to open a gate and leave the area so the animal can exit on its own without feeling trapped.
If a direct encounter occurs, avoid running, as this can trigger a chase response. Instead, stand your ground, make yourself appear large by waving your arms, and make loud noises, such as yelling or clapping, to startle the animal and encourage it to leave. Spraying the animal with a garden hose or throwing small objects in its direction can also be an effective deterrent.
When walking a dog in javelina territory, always keep the dog on a leash and immediately move away if a javelina herd is sighted. If a confrontation is unavoidable, pick up small dogs and try to position yourself between the dog and the javelina. Separating the animals is paramount, as the javelina will focus its defensive energy on the perceived predator.