Javelinas are medium-sized, pig-like mammals commonly found across the Americas. These animals, often observed in the southwestern United States, are known for their stout bodies and distinct snout. While they might bear a superficial resemblance to pigs, javelinas possess unique characteristics that set them apart. They are social creatures, typically living in groups, and have adapted to a variety of environments in their expansive range.
The Tayassuidae Family
Javelinas belong to the biological family Tayassuidae, often referred to as peccaries. This classification designates them as “New World pigs,” distinguishing them from the “Old World pigs” of the family Suidae. Peccaries are found throughout Central and South America, extending into the southwestern United States and Trinidad in the Caribbean. The name “peccary” itself is derived from the Carib word “pakira” or “paquira,” while their family name, Tayassuidae, originates from the Portuguese word “tajaçu”.
While both families are grouped within the suborder Suina, their evolutionary paths separated approximately 40 million years ago. Peccaries first appeared in North America during the Miocene epoch and later migrated into South America.
Javelinas Are Not Pigs
Javelinas are not true pigs, possessing several distinct biological differences. One notable distinction lies in their teeth; javelinas have sharp, downward-pointing canine teeth that can shred plant material, unlike the outward-curving tusks seen in true pigs. These canine teeth also slide against each other, which helps keep them sharp.
Javelinas have a more complex, three-chambered stomach, which is different from the simpler stomach of most pigs. This allows them to be foregut fermenters, processing plant matter differently than pigs, which are hindgut fermenters. Javelinas typically have four toes on their front feet but only three on their hind feet, with only two hooves commonly leaving tracks, whereas pigs have four toes on their hind feet. Javelinas also possess a dorsal scent gland on their back, near their rump, which emits a musky odor used for communication and territorial marking, a feature not present in true pigs.
Key Characteristics and Habitat
Javelinas are characterized by their coarse, grizzled salt-and-pepper colored hair and a distinct band of lighter hair around their neck, giving them the common name “collared peccary”. They typically stand about 18 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder and can weigh between 35 and 60 pounds. Their tails are short and inconspicuous. Javelinas have poor eyesight but possess an excellent sense of smell and good hearing.
These animals are omnivores, primarily consuming plant material such as roots, fruits, cacti pads, agave, and mesquite beans. Prickly pear cactus is a significant part of their diet, providing both food and moisture.
Javelinas are highly social animals that live in herds, often called “squadrons,” which typically consist of 6 to 15 individuals, though larger groups have been observed. They communicate using sounds and their strong scent, often rubbing against each other’s scent glands to mix individual scents into a group identity. Their geographic distribution spans from the southwestern United States, including Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, south through Mexico and Central America, and into northern Argentina. They inhabit diverse environments, including deserts, woodlands, and grasslands.