What kind of animal is the collared peccary? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. It is a member of the peccary family, but when you look at its appearance, it looks just like a wild boar. However, it is a different species of animal. This animal can be seen quite widely in the Americas.
What is a Collared Peccary? Basic Stats
The Collared Peccary is a mammal resembling a wild boar that lives in North and South America. Its English name is Collared Peccary, and its scientific name is Tayassu tajacui. Its body length is 75-95cm, its weight is 18-30kg, and its tail length is 1.5-5cm. The list of information is as follows.
| Japanese（和名） | クビワペッカリー |
| English（英名） | Collared Peccary |
| scientific name(学名) | Tayassu tajacui |
| classification（分類） | Mammalia、Cetartiodactyla、Suina、Tayassu 哺乳綱、鯨偶蹄目、イノシシ科、ペッカリー属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | LEAST CONCERN |
| Length（体長） | 75～95cm |
| Weight（体重） | 18～30kg |
taxonomic class
| 階級 | 分類 |
|---|---|
| 界 | 動物界（Animalia） |
| 門 | 脊索動物門（Chordata） |
| 綱 | 哺乳綱（Mammalia） |
| 目 | 偶蹄目（Artiodactyla） |
| 科 | イノ科（Tayassuidae） |
| 属 | ペッカリー属（Pecari） |
| 種 | クビワペッカリー（Pecari tajacu） |
Habitat
Collared peccaries are found in Central America, as well as southern North America, including Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, and also in Colombia, Brazil, and Argentina.
1️⃣ Basic Information
Scientific Name: Pecari tajacu
Classification: Artiodactyla → Family: Canidae → Genus: Peccary
Other Names: Collared Peccary, Javelina
Characteristics: A medium-sized wild pig with a white collar around its neck.
2️⃣ Geographical Distribution
Collared peccaries are found widely throughout southwestern North America and Central and South America. The main regions are as follows:
Region Details
Southwestern United States: Dry and desert areas such as Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico
Mexico: Widely distributed from dry forests, lowlands, to mountains
Central America: Inhabits lowland forests and grasslands such as Guatemala, Honduras, and Costa Rica
Northern South America: Dry forests and tropical forest fringes in Peru, northern Brazil, Ecuador, and Bolivia
3️⃣ Habitat Characteristics
Dry forests and semi-desert areas
Commonly found in environments with a high concentration of cacti and shrubs
Fringe forests of tropical rainforests
Prefers forest edges and open areas
Around grasslands and agricultural fields
Travels in search of fruit, seeds, and insects as food sources
Near water
Often found near rivers and puddles for drinking
4️⃣ Groups and Habitat Patterns
Living in groups
Small groups of 5-20 individuals are common
Finds food and safety in groups
Nocturnal and twilight activity
Mainly found in early mornings, evenings, and nights Active during the day
They rest in the shade to protect themselves from predators.
What are its characteristics? What kind of creature is it?
Collared peccaries are small among peccaries. Their body color is dark gray, gray-black, black, etc. from their shoulders to their neck, and they have a white or yellowish brown band that looks like a collar, hence the name. They have three toes on their hind feet and two pairs of nipples, and they have poor vision and hearing. Instead, they have a well-developed sense of smell. Collared peccaries can be found in forest areas, valleys, mountains, deserts, and savannas.
Physical Characteristics
Body Type
Medium-sized pig-like mammal
Muscular and stocky build, with short legs for stable walking
Coat Color
Dark gray to brown fur
White bands on the neck and shoulders, from which the name comes
Face/Head
Rounded snout, small, sharp tusks used primarily for defense and digging
Large eyes for observing the herd and predators
Tail
Short, not very noticeable
Behavior & Ecology
Living in groups
Small groups of 5-20 individuals
Cooperative within the group and flee when they sense danger
Diet
Omnivorous: grasses, fruits, seeds, insects, and small invertebrates
Foraging by digging the ground with their snout
Activity
Mainly nocturnal and active at dusk
Rests in the shade of trees or rocks during the day
Cautious
Sensitive to predators (jaguars, pumas, humans, etc.)
In times of danger, they will cooperate and flee as a group
Personality & Characteristics
Gentle and highly social
Living cooperatively in groups, rarely fighting
Curious but also cautious
Sensitive to new objects and sounds, observing the situation before acting
Defensive Behavior
Uses fangs to intimidate when necessary
What is their personality like?
Collared peccaries are very social animals. They usually live in groups of about 50, and there is no hierarchical relationship within the group. They are active during the cool hours of the day and night.
1️⃣ Basic Personality
Characteristics Description
Gentle and calm. Usually not aggressive and has a gentle personality. They rarely fight with each other.
Highly alert: They are sensitive to predators and humans, and will flee immediately if they sense danger.
Pack mentality: They live in groups, are highly cooperative, and value communication with their peers.
Defensive: They may use their tusks to intimidate others when danger approaches, and males and mothers in particular may become aggressive to protect their young.
Curious: They are interested in new environments and smells, but will approach strangers cautiously.
2️⃣ Behavioral Patterns
Cooperate within the group
Forage, rest, and move as a group.
The entire group shares their vigilance against predators.
Vigilance and escape
They often flee when predators or humans approach.
They will use their tusks to intimidate when necessary.
Sociality
They have a hierarchy and roles within the group, and communicate through physical contact.
They communicate information through vocalizations and body movements.
Playfulness
Young individuals and young animals play by chasing and lightly shoving each other.
They learn social skills and how to control their strength through play.
What is their ecology like?
Collared peccaries live by eating nuts, fruits, rhizomes, cacti, and insects. Collared peccaries breed throughout the year, and their gestation period is about four months. They live for 20 years.
1️⃣ Basic Lifestyle
Activity: Primarily nocturnal and crepuscular (early morning and evening)
Often rests in the shade of trees or rocks during the day
Habitat: Dry forests, lowland forests, grasslands, semi-desert areas, etc.
Population Structure:
Small groups (5-20 individuals) centered around females and young are common.
Males may travel alone or in small groups.
2️⃣ Diet (Foraging Behavior)
Omnivorous
Grass, leaves, fruit, seeds, small invertebrates (insects, etc.)
When foraging, they often dig into the ground with their snouts.
They move in groups to find food and water sources.
3️⃣ Movement and Behavior
Cooperate as a Group
Forage, rest, and move as a group.
The entire group shares the responsibility for vigilance and danger avoidance.
Vigilance
Sensitive to predators and humans, and will flee if they sense danger.
They may also use their tusks to intimidate others if necessary.
Adaptability
Ability to adapt to a variety of environments, including arid regions, deserts, and lowland forests.
Ability to survive in environments with limited food and water.
4️⃣ Reproduction and Growth
Item Description
Estrus Period: Approximately once a year (depending on region and environment)
Gestation Period: Approximately 145 days (approximately 5 months)
Birth: 1-2 cubs (rarely 3 cubs)
Cub Behavior: They quickly become accustomed to the group and are protected by their mother and the group.
Growth: Semi-adult at 1 year, independent as an adult at 2-3 years.
Do they have any natural predators?
Collared peccaries is eaten by pumas and jaguars.
About Collared Peccary Calves
This section provides detailed information about Collared Peccary (Pecari tajacu) calves.
1️⃣ Basic Information
Item Description: Name: Calf (Piglet) – Birth weight: Approximately 1-2kg (small at birth) – Body color: Light brown to pale gray stripes (camouflage effect)
As they grow, their body color darkens and the white band around their neck becomes more noticeable. |
| Position in the Herd: Protected by their mother and located in the center of the herd. |
*Collared peccaries often give birth to one or two cubs at a time.
2️⃣ Physical Characteristics
Small, covered with soft fur, with underdeveloped muscles.
Legs not as powerful as adult ones, but able to run away quickly.
Rounded snout, beginning to practice exploring and foraging.
Small tusks, but not yet used for defense.
3️⃣ Behavior & Personality
Dependent on Mother
Stays close to mother from birth
Drinks breast milk and learns safety behaviors from mother and herd
Protection within the herd
Protected by the herd, with mother and herd acting as shields against predators
Learns social behavior through play
Play & Social Learning
Lightly pokes and chases
Learns force control, cooperation, and hierarchical relationships through play
Vigilance
Sensitive to predators and danger, and learns to escape by watching their mother’s movements
4️⃣ Diet & Development
Age Diet & Behavior 0-2 months: Mainly breast milk, gradually practices nibbling on grass and fruit from the ground 2-6 months: Forages with the herd, gradually reduces milk intake 6-12 months: Eats mainly grass and fruit, transitions to omnivorous diet (omnivorous diet) Around 1 year of age: Similar behavioral patterns to adults, learns social behavior within the herd
Are collared peccaries an endangered species?
The collared peccary’s population is very stable and they are not an endangered species. They are often exterminated as pests due to the damage they cause to crops and because they have been known to attack people in urban areas.
1️⃣ IUCN Assessment
Status: Least Concern (LC) → Low Threat Species
Assessing Organization: IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)
Reason:
Wide distribution, extending from southwestern North America to Central and South America
Populations are relatively stable and not showing any significant declines at present
Highly adaptable, able to live in close proximity to human habitats
2️⃣ Population and Distribution Status
Widely distributed from North America (southwestern US) to Central and northern South America
Because they live in groups, they are sometimes perceived as causing crop damage in localized areas
Although they are affected by human hunting and development, they are at low risk of extinction
3️⃣ Conservation Status and Precautions
Legal protection varies by region
Hunting restrictions apply in some US states
In Central and South America, habitation in protected areas is recommended
Hunting wild individuals is often permitted, and over-harvesting should be avoided
Can you keep collared peccaries as pets?
Collared peccaries are not recommended as pets. Due to their aggressive nature, it is best to view them at a zoo. You can currently see information about exhibits on their website.
1️⃣ Nature of Wild Animals
Collared peccaries are medium-sized wild pigs (20-40 kg, approximately 1 meter long).
Highly social, they live in groups.
Gentle-natured, but highly alert and defensive.
Foraging and migration habits are formed in groups.
2️⃣ Difficulty of Keeping
Key Points
Sociality: Keeping them alone is stressful, and if they fail to learn cooperative behavior within a group, health and behavior problems can result.
Exercise and Space: Because they travel in groups, they require ample space for exercise.
Diet: Omnivorous, eating grass, fruit, seeds, and insects, they require a balanced diet.
Defense: They are highly alert and may bite people they meet for the first time.
Legal Issues: As wild animals, their captivity is often restricted by region and country.
3️⃣ Laws and Regulations
In the United States and Central and South America, keeping wild individuals is prohibited or requires a permit, depending on the state or country.
Keeping them as pets is generally not permitted.
Keeping them as pets is generally prohibited.
Only zoos, conservation facilities, and research institutions are allowed. Limited to those with a specific diet.
4️⃣ Conditions for keeping animals (in zoos and animal shelters)
Keep animals in groups (preferably at least five or more animals)
Provide ample space for exercise and exploration
Provide ample food appropriate for their omnivorous diet (grass, fruit, seeds, and insects)
Ensure a safe environment from predators and humans
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