Javelinas, often encountered in the southwestern United States and throughout Central and South America, are medium-sized mammals with a pig-like appearance. These animals, also known as peccaries, typically have a bristly coat that ranges from grizzled gray to black or brown, and they possess short tusks. They are social creatures, usually living in cohesive groups, sometimes called squadrons, that can number anywhere from two to over twenty individuals. Javelinas also emit a characteristic musky odor from a prominent scent gland located on their backs, which helps them identify other members of their group.
Debunking the Rodent Myth
Javelinas are often mistakenly thought to be rodents. However, they are not classified in the biological order Rodentia. Rodents are characterized by continuously growing incisors, a feature absent in javelinas. Javelinas are even-toed ungulates.
The True Identity of Javelinas
Javelinas are members of the family Tayassuidae, commonly known as peccaries or New World pigs. There are three recognized species: the Collared Peccary (Dicotyles tajacu), the White-lipped Peccary (Tayassu pecari), and the Chacoan Peccary (Catagonus wagneri). The Collared Peccary is most common in the U.S. Southwest.
Peccaries evolved parallel to Old World pigs, diverging 30 to 40 million years ago from a common ancestor. While they share resemblances with true pigs, they are distinct animals. Peccaries are native to the Americas, having developed independently in the Western Hemisphere.
Distinguishing Javelinas from Rodents and Pigs
Javelinas possess anatomical and behavioral traits that set them apart from both rodents and true pigs.
Javelinas vs. Rodents
Significant differences are apparent in their dental structure. Javelinas have tusks, which are modified canine teeth, that grow straight downwards. This contrasts with rodents, defined by their continuously growing, gnawing incisors. Javelinas are also hoofed mammals with a skeletal structure adapted for walking on hooves, unlike the pawed locomotion of rodents.
Javelinas vs. True Pigs
Several key features distinguish javelinas from true pigs (family Suidae). Javelinas have four toes on their front feet but only three functional toes on their hind feet, missing the outer dewclaw present in pigs. Their tusks grow straight down and are relatively short, unlike the often curved, upward-growing tusks of true pigs.
Javelinas also possess a prominent dorsal scent gland near their rump, which emits a strong, musky odor used for social communication and territory marking, a feature absent in pigs. The stomach of a javelina is more complex, featuring multiple chambers, which differs from the simpler stomach of a true pig. Additionally, javelinas have a very short, almost unnoticeable tail, whereas pigs typically have longer, more distinct tails.