Peccary ~ Collared

Owing to their external appearance, peccaries (also called javelinas) are often falsely identified as pigs. Though distantly related to pigs, there are some key differences, notably their comparative diets. A peccary's diet largely depends on climate and season and may include roots, bulbs, fruits, nuts, eggs, snakes, fish and dead organic matter. Collared peccaries inhabitat the tropical rainforests of South and Central America living in social groups of 10-15 individuals. There is one dominant male per group who is responsible for al the mating. Peccaries communicate through a series of grunts and calls and will organize themselves to effectively defend against predators such as coyotes, jaguars and bobcats. Collared peccaries are not currently threatened in their native range and have been known to venture into urban centers where they are often fed or even fully domesticated. Lifespan in the wild is generally around 10 years whereas in captivity a peccary may live up to 24 years.