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Javelina Facts

Javelina Facts
Javelina, also known as collared peccary, is a species of hoofed mammal that belongs to the family of New World pigs. It can be found in North, Central and South America. Javelina inhabits deserts, areas covered with shrubs and cacti, woodlands, grasslands and tropical rainforests. It can be occasionally seen in the human settlements (where it searches food). Javelinas are numerous and widespread in the wild (this animal is not on the list of endangered species).
Interesting Javelina Facts:
Javelina can reach 3 to 4 feet in length, 2 feet in height and 35 to 55 pounds of weight. Males are larger than females.
Javelina has dark grey coat made of short, coarse hairs and "collar" made of white hairs around neck.
Javelina resembles a wild boar. It has large head with long, pig-like snout and long, thin legs. Javelina is equipped with short, razor-sharp tusks (modified canine teeth) that protrude from the mouth with tips oriented toward the ground.
Javelina is active early in the morning and late in the evening.
Javelina rests during the hottest part of a day in the shade of mesquite trees or under the large rocks.
Javelina is an omnivore. It eats fruit, berries, nuts, roots and tubers. Prickly pear (type of cactus) is its favorite food. Javelina also occasionally consumes lizards, rodents and dead birds.
Javelina is social animal. It eats, travels and sleeps in groups of 6 to 12 (sometimes up to 53) animals. Dominant male is the leader of the group. Status of other members depend on their size: bigger animals have better (higher) positions in the hierarchy of the group.
Each group occupies and defends territory of around 75 to 700 acres.
Javelinas communicate via scent produced in the gland located on the rump. They use this scent to mark the borders of their territory and to facilitate identification of the group members. Strong, unpleasant smell of javelinas is the reason why these animals are also known as "musk hogs" or "skunk pigs".
Javelina can run at the speed of 35 miles per hour when it needs to escape from the predators.
Natural enemies of javelinas are coyotes, bobcats, jaguars, mountain lions, boa constrictors and humans.
Javelinas are able to mate all year round. Females produce two litters per year during the rainy years (when food is abundant).
Pregnancy in females lasts 145 days and ends with 1 to 4 babies (usually 2 to 3). Babies are also known as "reds" because of their red coats. Young javelinas attain adult coloration at the age of 3 months.
Females reach sexual maturity at the age of 8 to 14 months, males at the age of 11 months.
Javelina can survive around 10 years in the wild and more than 20 years in the captivity.


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