The javelina, also known as a collared peccary, is often mistaken for a wild hog or boar due to its pig-like appearance. However, it is not a true pig but belongs to a distinct biological family. This article clarifies the javelina’s identity, physical characteristics, habitat, and behaviors.
Not a Pig, But a Peccary
Despite superficial similarities, javelinas are not members of the true pig family (Suidae). They belong to their own biological family, Tayassuidae, known as peccaries. This evolutionary separation occurred approximately 30 to 40 million years ago, with peccaries developing in the Western Hemisphere while pigs originated in the Eastern Hemisphere. A primary distinguishing feature is the javelina’s unique dorsal scent gland, located on its lower back, which secretes a musky odor for communication and territorial marking. True pigs lack this gland.
Another key anatomical difference lies in their canine teeth, often referred to as tusks. Javelinas possess straight, sharp canine teeth that point downward and interlock, sharpening continuously as they grind against each other. In contrast, true pigs have canines that curve outwards and upwards, often visibly protruding from their mouths. Javelinas have four toes on their front feet and two or three functional toes on their hind feet, unlike pigs, which have four toes on all feet.
Key Physical Features
The javelina is a medium-sized mammal, comparable to a mid-sized dog, standing about 18 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder and weighing between 35 to 60 pounds. Its body is stocky, covered in coarse, bristly hair that is dark gray or black, often with a “salt and pepper” appearance. A lighter band of hair around its neck and shoulders forms a distinctive “collar,” giving rise to its alternative name, the collared peccary. This mane of hair can stand erect when the animal is startled or agitated, making it appear larger.
Javelinas have a short, almost invisible tail, small rounded ears, and a pointed snout ending in a disc-like nose. Their straight, sharp canine teeth are often visible and contribute to their “spear-like” common name, derived from the Spanish word “javelina”.
Habitat and Behavior
Javelinas are native to the Americas, with their range extending from the southwestern United States (Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas) through Mexico and Central America, and southward into northern Argentina. They favor arid and semi-arid environments, including deserts, shrublands, and woodlands, often found in areas with dense vegetation or rocky outcroppings. These environments provide both food sources and shelter from predators and the sun.
Their diet is omnivorous but predominantly herbivorous, primarily consisting of cacti, especially prickly pear pads and fruits. They also consume roots, tubers, berries, fruits, and mesquite beans, and may occasionally eat insects, lizards, or carrion. Javelinas are highly social animals that live in cohesive herds, ranging from a few individuals to 20 or more. They communicate through various vocalizations like grunts, barks, and woofs, and by scent marking objects. Javelinas are diurnal, foraging during the cooler parts of the day, such as early morning and late afternoon, and resting in shaded areas during the hottest hours.