 Collared
Peccary/Javelina
Physical Description
The coat of the Javelina is bristly and gray to grizzled-black in
color. The head is pointed, and the nose has a disc of round
cartilage at the tip. Ears are small and round, and the eyes are
beady. On the shoulders is a light yellow "collar" running under
the neck. Short legs with oblong cloven hooves support a
barrel-like body. Javelina have a pig-like snout and an almost
unnoticeable tail. Javelina grow to be 20 to 25 inches in height
at the shoulder, and 30 to 36 inches in length.
Average Weight Range
Mature Javelina range from 30 to 60 pounds.
Reproduction
Javelina are polygamous, and they breed throughout the year,
peaking in late winter and early spring. Usually in June, litters
from one to four young are born; the average litter size is two.
The gestation period is around 145 days. After the female gives
birth, the young walk beneath her. Baby javelinas are initially
pink but become reddish to yellow-brown in color as they mature.
The young nurse from the mother for six to eight weeks and stay
with her for up to three months. Javelinas live about eight to 12
years in the wild.
Food Usage/Selection
Javelinas are mainly herbivorous, though they sometimes eat
insects and other small animals. Their main diet consists of
cacti, acorns, bulbs, nuts, berries, roots, and tubers. Their
ability to consume succulent plants, high in water content, makes
them very adaptable in desert or drought conditions by reducing
their need for water sources.
Range
Javelinas are found in the Western hemisphere, ranging from the
southwestern U.S. to the middle of South America. Their U.S.
habitat primarily is in portions of southeast Arizona, southern
New Mexico, and southwest Texas.
Habitat
Javelinas are mostly found in mid-level deserts and desert
grassland regions between 1,000 and 5,000 feet in elevation.
However, they are very adaptable and live in heavily forested
areas and areas of high humidity in Central and South America.
They favor drainages where they like to bed down in sandy soil
with heavy brush for protection.
Common Hunting Methods
Javelinas are classified as a huntable species and have an
economic impact on states where they live. Bows, rifles, pistols,
and muzzleloaders are used to hunt javelinas. Spot-and-stalk
hunting, calling, and hunting from a blind near a feeder probably
are the most commonly used techniques for hunting javelinas.
Hunting Challenges/Values
Because javelinas have poor eyesight, they make a perfect
challenge for hunters with close-range, primitive weapons.
Javelinas do, however, have a good sense of smell, so it is best
to hunt downwind from the animals. They are hunted for both food
and sport.
Interesting Tidbits
Their name, "javelina," comes from the Spanish for javelin and
refers to their javelin-like upper canines.
It is also known as the collared peccary, the musk hog, or
tayaussa.
Javelinas are not closely related to wild or domesticated hogs
even though they have a close physical resemblance to them.
They usually retreat from humans and attack only when cornered.
They have two hooves on each foot; 4 toes on each fore foot and 3
toes on each hind foot.
Javelinas have straight downward pointing tusks as opposed to pigs
which have curved tusks.
They are highly intolerant of extreme temperatures and are very
difficult to spot in very hot or cold periods.
Young travel with the herd one day after birth.
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