The javelina, also known as the collared peccary, is common in the southwestern United States and throughout Central and South America. Its coarse hair, snout, and body shape often lead people to mistake it for a wild pig or boar. Although the javelina exhibits superficial similarities to swine, it belongs to a completely different biological family. This confusion requires a closer look at the traits that separate the javelina from true pigs.
The Definitive Taxonomic Difference
The assumption that a javelina is a pig is incorrect, despite their shared ancestry within the Order Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates). This high-level classification means they are distant relatives that evolved from a common ancestor millions of years ago. Javelinas and true pigs are separated at the family level, indicating a significant biological divergence.
True pigs, including domestic swine and wild boars, belong to the family Suidae, which originated in the Old World (Europe, Asia, and Africa). Conversely, the javelina belongs to the family Tayassuidae, a group that developed in the Western Hemisphere. The two lineages have been evolving separately for an estimated 37 to 40 million years.
Observable Anatomical Distinctions
Physical examination reveals several unique anatomical features that distinguish the javelina from its Old World relatives. One primary difference lies in the tusks, which are elongated canine teeth. In true pigs, the tusks curve outward and upward away from the snout. Javelina tusks, however, grow straight up and down, rubbing against each other to maintain a sharp edge.
Differences are also seen in the structure of their feet. True pigs possess four toes on their hind feet, but the javelina only has two functional toes on its rear limbs. The digestive system also varies significantly, as javelinas have a complex, three-chambered stomach, unlike the simple stomach of a pig. This complex structure suggests a different digestive process, as peccaries are foregut fermenters.
Another major distinction is the prominent musk gland located near the base of the javelina’s tail. This gland emits a strong-smelling substance used for communication and territorial marking. True pigs lack this specific scent gland. Javelinas are also noticeably smaller than most wild pigs, typically weighing between 30 and 55 pounds.
Habitat, Diet, and Group Dynamics
The geographic range of the javelina provides a clear ecological separation from true pigs. Javelinas are native only to the Americas, ranging from the southwestern United States down through Central and South America. True pigs, such as wild boars or feral hogs, were introduced to the Americas by European settlers and are not native to the continent.
Javelinas are highly social animals that live in stable groups called squadrons or herds, which can range from two to over 20 individuals. They rely heavily on their sense of smell for communication as they have relatively poor eyesight. Members of the same herd rub their scent glands together to create a collective group scent.
Their diet is primarily omnivorous, but they show a strong preference for plant matter. Javelinas are adapted to eating tough desert vegetation, frequently including roots, tubers, and the pads and fruit of the prickly pear cactus. This specialized diet reflects their New World habitat.