Javelinas, often mistaken for pigs, are fascinating creatures of the American Southwest. Their unique appearance and behaviors frequently spark curiosity, especially regarding specific terms used to identify them. Many wonder if male javelinas have a distinct name, similar to how male deer are called bucks.
Javelina Naming Conventions
A male javelina is simply called a javelina. Unlike many other mammals, there is no widely accepted unique term for a male or female javelina. While some informal usage might refer to males as “boars” or females as “sows,” these terms are primarily applied to true pigs (Suidae family). Javelinas are distinct, belonging to the Tayassuidae family, also known as peccaries.
Young javelinas are often called “piglets” due to their appearance. Newborn javelinas are sometimes referred to as “reds” because of their reddish-brown coat during their first few months of life. The general term “javelina” encompasses all sexes and ages within the species.
Understanding Javelinas
Javelinas, scientifically known as collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu), are medium-sized hoofed mammals native to the Americas, ranging from the southwestern United States through Central and South America. They are characterized by coarse, grizzled hair, a prominent white band or “collar” around their neck, and a pig-like snout. Unlike true pigs, javelinas possess a dorsal scent gland, which they use for marking territory and identifying herd members.
These animals typically weigh between 35 and 60 pounds, standing approximately 18 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder. Their diet primarily consists of plant material, including cacti (especially prickly pear), roots, bulbs, and fruits, which they forage using their strong snouts. Javelinas play a role in their ecosystems by dispersing seeds and turning over soil during foraging, contributing to plant propagation and soil aeration.
Javelinas are highly social, living in herds that can range from a few individuals to over 20, though average herd sizes are typically between 6 and 15 members. They communicate through vocalizations like barks, grunts, and woofs, and rely on their keen sense of smell for navigation and social cohesion due to poor eyesight. Their cohesive social structure aids in cooperative defense against predators like coyotes and bobcats, and in efficiently locating food sources within their established territories.