The javelina, also known as the collared peccary, is a medium-sized mammal native to the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America. Despite their resemblance to swine, javelinas are not true pigs; they belong to the separate family Tayassuidae. These animals are identifiable by their stocky build, coarse, grizzled hair, and a light-colored band of fur around their neck.
Maximum Burst Speed
Javelinas are capable of rapid bursts of acceleration, reaching speeds between 25 and 35 miles per hour (40 to 56 kilometers per hour). This maximum speed is a short, explosive sprint used for immediate escape rather than a sustained, long-distance run. For an animal standing only about 18 inches tall and weighing between 40 and 60 pounds, this pace is remarkably fast. They are built for sudden, powerful dashes, making them difficult to catch in the open over a short distance.
What Triggers High-Speed Movement
The sudden, high-speed movement of a javelina is almost exclusively a reaction to perceived threats. Their tendency is to utilize this maximum speed for immediate flight to cover, especially when a herd is startled by an intruder. Since javelinas have poor eyesight, they rely heavily on their acute sense of smell and hearing to detect predators like coyotes or bobcats. Once a threat is identified, the immediate reaction is often a rapid, short sprint to escape the area or find dense brush for concealment.
When cornered or protecting their young, a herd may transition from a flight response to a defensive maneuver. This shift in behavior allows them to either scatter or charge an intruder as a group. Their daily movement, however, is significantly slower, characterized by a deliberate foraging gait as they search for roots and cacti during the cooler morning and evening hours.
Physical Characteristics That Aid Movement
The javelina’s physical structure is optimized for rapid acceleration over the rough and uneven terrain of the desert and scrubland. They possess a compact, stocky body supported by short, muscular legs. This body plan allows for a low center of gravity and the powerful muscle contractions needed to achieve burst speed from a standstill.
Their feet also contribute to their agility, featuring two large, hardened hooves on each foot that bear most of the weight. This structure is well-suited for traction and quick push-offs on packed dirt and rocky surfaces, enabling them to navigate their habitat effectively. While these features make them adept at sudden, fast movement, their overall build limits their stamina, meaning they cannot maintain top velocity for extended periods.