Javelinas are medium-sized mammals often seen in the southwestern United States and throughout Central and South America. They possess a stocky body, a pig-like snout, and coarse, grizzled fur that can be gray or black. A distinctive band of lighter-colored hair around their neck gives them their other common name, the collared peccary. Adult javelinas typically stand about 18-24 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 35 and 60 pounds.
Dispelling the Pig Myth
Javelinas are frequently mistaken for pigs due to their similar appearance, including their snouts, body shape, and foraging habits. Despite these superficial resemblances, javelinas are not true pigs, feral hogs, or wild boars. They belong to an entirely separate biological family, distinct from the pig family (Suidae).
The confusion likely began when European explorers arrived in the New World, encountering these pig-like animals. While they share a distant common ancestor, the evolutionary paths of javelinas and true pigs diverged approximately 30-40 million years ago. Javelinas are native to the Western Hemisphere, whereas true pigs originated in the Eastern Hemisphere.
The Peccary Family
Javelinas are correctly classified into the family Tayassuidae, commonly known as peccaries. Both peccaries and pigs are part of the order Artiodactyla, which includes even-toed ungulates.
There are three recognized extant species within the peccary family. These include the Collared Peccary (the javelina, Dicotyles tajacu), the White-lipped Peccary (Tayassu pecari), and the Chacoan Peccary (Catagonus wagneri). Peccaries are found across a wide geographic range, from the southwestern United States, through Mexico and Central America, and extending into South America as far south as Argentina.
Key Differences from True Pigs
Several specific anatomical and behavioral features distinguish javelinas from true pigs. Javelinas possess straight, downward-pointing canine teeth, often referred to as tusks, which are used for cutting and slashing. In contrast, true pigs typically have tusks that curve upward.
Javelinas also have a prominent scent gland located on their lower back, near the rump, which emits a musky odor. This gland is used for territory marking and for identifying herd members. True pigs do not possess this dorsal scent gland.
Regarding foot structure, javelinas have four toes on their front feet but only three hoofed toes on their hind feet, missing the outer dewclaw present in pigs. Javelinas are highly social animals that live in cohesive herds, or “squadrons,” typically ranging from a few individuals to over 20. They communicate using various vocalizations, including grunts, growls, and tooth-popping sounds, and rely on their strong sense of smell due to their poor eyesight. True pigs often exhibit different social structures and communication methods.