Javelinas, often known as collared peccaries, are unique mammals native to the Americas. These social animals are found across diverse habitats from the southwestern United States to Argentina. They possess a blend of characteristics that set them apart, often sparking questions about their physical traits and how they differ from other animals they might superficially resemble.
Describing Their Appearance
Javelinas are compact, stout-bodied animals with a pig-like build and relatively short legs. An adult typically stands 18 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder and measures 32 to 48 inches in length. Their weight usually ranges from 30 to 60 pounds, though some individuals can reach up to 88 pounds.
Their coat consists of coarse, bristly hair, presenting a grayish-black or brownish coloration, often described as a salt-and-pepper mix. A distinct mane of darker hair extends along their back, which can bristle when the animal is agitated. Their small hooves have four toes on their front feet and three on their hind feet.
Distinctive Features
A prominent feature is the band of lighter-colored hair, often white or yellowish, that wraps around its neck and shoulders, giving the javelina its alternative name, the collared peccary. Their head features a pig-like snout, small, rounded ears, and small eyes. While their vision is limited, they compensate with an excellent sense of smell and good hearing.
Javelinas possess unique canine teeth, referred to as tusks, which are straight and point downwards. These sharp tusks self-sharpen, serving as tools for defense and for tearing tough vegetation. A dorsal scent gland is located on their rump, above their very short, almost invisible tail. This gland, present in both sexes, emits a musky odor used for territory marking and identifying members within their herd.
Javelinas Versus Other Animals
Despite their pig-like appearance, javelinas are not true pigs. They belong to the Tayassuidae family (peccaries), while true pigs, such as wild boars and feral hogs, are part of the Suidae family. Their evolutionary paths diverged, with peccaries developing in the Western Hemisphere and pigs originating in the Eastern Hemisphere.
Several visual differences help distinguish javelinas from feral hogs. Javelinas are noticeably smaller, typically weighing 30 to 60 pounds, whereas adult feral hogs often exceed 100 pounds and can reach over 400 pounds. The tusks of a javelina are straight and point downward, unlike the longer, curved tusks of pigs that typically grow outwards.
Javelinas have a very short, inconspicuous tail, while pigs possess a longer, more prominent tail. Another distinction lies in their foot structure: javelinas have four toes on their front feet and three on their hind feet, missing an outer dewclaw present in pigs, which have four toes on both front and hind feet. Javelinas also feature smaller, rounder ears compared to the longer, more pointed ears of feral hogs. Their internal anatomy also differs, with javelinas having a more complex, three-chambered stomach compared to a pig’s simpler digestive system.