Buzz
The collared peccary, scientifically named Pecari tajacu, is a mammal belonging to the Tayassuidae family, inhabiting regions across North, Central, and South America. Often called musk hogs, skunk pigs, or quenks in Trinidad, this species is captured beautifully in images by Daniel Hernanz Ramos/Getty Images.Not knowing what a javelina (pronounced have-a-LEEN-a) is shouldn't make you feel left out. Many people outside the southwestern U.S., especially in Arizona and Texas, are unfamiliar with this creature. However, awareness is growing, partly due to a Tucson real estate agent who filmed a javelina sprinting at full speed near an apartment complex using a cellphone.
My first glimpse of a javelina reminded me of a warthog. Despite its resemblance to the wild pig I knew from my childhood in Arkansas (it’s also nicknamed "muskhog" and "skunk pig"), I was mistaken. Although they share similar looks and behaviors, they are not related. The warthog is a true pig, whereas the javelina is part of a distinct mammal family known as the "collared peccary," or pecari tajacu.
"Peccaries and pigs, though distant relatives, exhibit numerous differences," says Emily Kornmuller, the mammalogy and ornithology Keeper at Tucson's Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, via email. "Peccaries are native to the Americas, lack tails, and possess a scent gland near their tail base used for identification and marking territory. In contrast, pigs originate from Africa, Asia, and Europe, have tails, and lack this scent gland."
The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department highlights key distinctions: Javelinas are smaller, standing about 2 feet (0.6 meters) tall and weighing 35 to 55 pounds (15 to 25 kilograms). They have an almost invisible tail, a single dew claw on their hind foot, and a rough, grizzled gray coat with a white shoulder band, earning them the name 'collared peccary.' They are also highly social, living in herds.
Like pigs, javelinas have adorable snouts. "We often 'boop the snoot' with our javelinas (the museum houses nine)," Kornmuller shares, "and they seem to love it." [For those unfamiliar, 'boop the snoot' means gently tapping the nose affectionately.] Want to learn more about this striking creature, known for its large, oval head, sharp tusks, and short legs supporting a robust body? Here are eight fascinating javelina facts:
If you come across a javelina, the Arizona Game & Fish Department advises scaring them away to avoid attacks. Make loud noises (like banging pots, yelling, or stomping), throw small rocks near them, or spray them with vinegar, water from a hose, or a large squirt gun.
1. They're Not Rodents
"This is a widespread misunderstanding," Kornmuller clarifies. "Javelinas are even-toed ungulates within the Artiodactyla order, closely related to sheep, goats, and deer." But what defines an even-toed ungulate? These are hoofed mammals that distribute their weight almost equally between their third and fourth toes, unlike odd-toed ungulates like horses and rhinos, which primarily bear weight on their third toe.
2. They're Great at Communicating
Javelina pigs communicate through a variety of sounds, including low grunts, barks, coughs, huffs, and woofs, as well as by clacking their teeth. Scent marking is another crucial aspect of their social behavior. They use a dorsal scent gland located near their rump, which emits a strong odor, to mark objects like rocks and trees. They also rub against each other head to tail, transferring scents from their dorsal glands.
3. Each One's Nose Is Different
"It’s comparable to a human fingerprint," explains Shawnee Riplog-Peterson, curator of mammalogy and ornithology at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, in an email. "Each nose is unique and serves as an identifier." Additionally, javelinas have an exceptional sense of smell. "However, their vision is quite limited," she notes. "They can only see up to about 30 feet (9 meters)."
4. It's Odd for One to Venture Out Alone
The sight of a lone javelina in Tucson is quite unusual. A key survival adaptation for javelinas is their tendency to live in large family groups. While the average group size is around 10, some herds can include up to 53 individuals of all ages and genders. These groups defend territories that encompass their sleeping and feeding grounds, providing protection from predators such as mountain lions, jaguars, coyotes, and bears.
5. They're Pretty Smelly
Given nicknames like muskhog and skunk pig, it’s no surprise that javelinas have a strong, unpleasant odor. In fact, you can often smell them before you see them. "They have a distinct smell, but it’s hard to describe," says Kornmuller. "They enjoy wallowing in mud to stay cool and frequently rub against each other, which keeps them dirty. Fun fact: When they rub against each other, it’s called a 'javy hug.' In Spanish, the 'j' sounds like an 'h,' making the phrase rhyme."
6. They're Classified as Herbivores
"In desert environments, javelinas primarily consume prickly pear pads, fruits, roots, and mesquite beans," explains Kornmuller. "Despite being herbivores, they possess large canines, which they use to dig for roots. Occasionally, they also eat meat. For instance, we’ve found dove feathers in exhibits where javelinas caught an unlucky bird. Sweet potatoes are a favorite treat for the javelinas under my care. They feed in groups, with dominant members sometimes chasing others away from food."
7. They Don't Have a Breeding Season
"Javelinas breed throughout the year," Kornmuller notes, "with a gestation period of 145 days. Newborns are called 'reds' due to their reddish color at birth." While they can breed in any month, most births occur between May and July. They begin breeding around one year of age and continue for life. Females give birth standing up and nurse their young for two months. Litters typically consist of two offspring, though they can have up to five. The young start eating solid food by six weeks and reach full size by 40 weeks.
8. Javelinas Can Be Dangerous When They Need to Be
Kornmuller emphasizes that javelina hogs are more defensive than aggressive, particularly when protecting their young. "Many locals dislike them due to perceived aggression," she says. "I clarify that they are defensive, not aggressive. If left alone, they won’t bother you." However, encountering a herd with babies while walking a dog can provoke defensive behavior. "They might mistake your dog for a coyote threatening their young, so it’s best to keep your distance and walk away."
As stated on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website: "Javelinas have long been unfairly labeled as aggressive. They possess limited vision and tend to stay near humans longer than other animals when startled. If cornered, they can defend themselves efficiently using their sharp canine teeth or 'tusks.' Numerous dogs have been injured or killed attempting to attack javelinas. However, aggressive interactions with humans are extremely uncommon."
