Collared peccaries, sometimes called javelinas or musk hogs, are mammals native to the Americas. Known for their distinctive appearance and social behaviors, they inhabit a broad range of environments across the continent.
Distinguishing Features and Classification
Collared peccaries measure between 80 to 106 centimeters in length with a shoulder height of 30 to 50 centimeters. Their weight ranges from 14 to 30 kilograms. Their coarse coat is a grizzled gray and brown, often described as “salt and pepper,” with a lighter, yellowish tint on their cheeks.
A defining characteristic is the band of white or yellowish fur that encircles their neck and shoulders, giving them their common name. While they resemble pigs, peccaries belong to a separate family, Tayassuidae, distinguishing them from true pigs (family Suidae) due to differences in their skeletons, teeth, and stomachs. Their canines are sharp and straight, growing vertically, unlike the curved tusks found in wild boars; these specialized teeth allow them to exert enough force to crack open tough palm nuts. A prominent musk gland on their rump produces a strong scent used for identification and territory marking.
Habitat, Diet, and Social Dynamics
Collared peccaries inhabit a vast geographical range extending from the Southwestern United States, including Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, southward through Central America to northern Argentina. They demonstrate remarkable adaptability, thriving in diverse habitats from tropical rainforests and shrublands to grasslands, swamplands, and even desert environments with prickly pear cacti.
As omnivores, their diet varies depending on their specific habitat. They forage for roots, tubers, bulbs, nuts, and fruits. In desert regions, prickly pear cacti and agave are significant food and water sources. Their diet may also include insects, small vertebrates, or carrion.
Collared peccaries are highly social animals, living in herds, often called “sounders,” ranging from 5 to 15 individuals, though groups can sometimes number up to 50. These groups maintain close bonds, engaging in mutual grooming. Communication within the herd relies on vocalizations, such as barks, grunts, purrs, woofing, and coughing, to compensate for their relatively poor eyesight.
Scent marking from their rump gland also helps recognize group members and define territorial boundaries. During hot periods, peccaries rest in shaded areas or hollow logs, becoming more active at night.
Defensive Behaviors and Conservation Status
When threatened, collared peccaries react by running away and scattering. If provoked or cornered, they become defensive. They may clack their sharp teeth together, producing a loud chattering sound as a warning. If the threat persists, they might stand together as a group and charge, using their straight tusks to inflict bites. Even larger predators like coyotes can be deterred by these coordinated group defenses.
Collared peccaries are not aggressive towards humans and retreat unless directly threatened. Their conservation status is classified as “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Despite their stable overall population, they face localized threats across their range.
Habitat loss from agricultural expansion, pastures, and human development poses a challenge. Hunting for meat and hides, and for sport in the southwestern United States, has impacted populations. Farmers may also view them as pests due to crop raiding. Conservation efforts protect their habitats and raise public awareness about their ecological role.