If you’re in Trans Pecos Texas or the southern Llano Estacado you’re bound to see a javelina, more likely a whole family of javelinas. What do you know about these interesting creatures?
Javelinas, or more properly, collared peccaries, look like pigs, but they’re not. They are much smaller than feral hogs and have a pale furry collar around their necks in contrast to their dark bodies. They’re found in Western Texas, southern New Mexico, southern Arizona and northern Mexico. In the scientific phylogenetic order they are a form between pigs and hippopotami in the even-toed mammal order Artiodactyla.
Javelinas are slow, dainty eaters. When eating prickly pear, the javelina skillfully peels the skin off one side of the pad and then eats the soft juicy pulp in the center. When they root in the ground for plant tubers they only excavate around the plant. Even if there are no leaves above the tuber, the javelinas can smell that tasty tuber. Javelinas are crepuscular for the most part – eating at daybreak and sundown and resting the rest of the time. Some nocturnal activity does occur, especially with a full moon.
Most herds of javelina number between 5 and 15, although bigger groups are sometimes seen, as are lone individuals who are somehow disabled and unable to keep up. Each herd utilizes a home range rarely larger than a square mile. Herd territories overlap when plentiful food and cover is available, but the herds from neighboring territories rarely meet. Peccaries have a scent gland on their belly with which they frequently mark wood or rocks. They often nose the scent gland of the other members of the herd. Javelinas often rub against one another and rub noses, too, nuzzling each other as if content in their companionship, and spend time grooming each other. When sleeping, they cuddle up.
The oldest female of the herd of relatives is usually the most dominant animal, but dominance is not an important issue. Very little time is spent squabbling. When herd members squabble, they first perform “teeth-chattering,” clicking their teeth rapidly. Their ears are flattened against the head. Sometimes they snarl and open their mouths to show their teeth. If the confrontation escalates, they butt, striking each other with their heads, then turn with open mouth and sometimes cut their opponent, hair standing on end.
In captivity aggression can escalate among animals unfamiliar with each other. They lock their jaws and circle around and around until one is thrown to the ground. The thrown animal then retreats, but this behavior has never been witnessed in wild animals.
Wild javelinas play. They play chase in a circle, leap, paw other animals and dash about. Young javelinas play much more often than adults. The female does not go anywhere special to give birth. She gives birth standing, rolls the young to separate it from the afterbirth, nudges it to its feet, nurses it, and both go on with the herd.
Javelinas have a number of vocalizations. When a herd is dispersed and a threat is perceived a very doglike “bark” is given. As the herd reforms they grunt until all have rejoined. Young animals complain by loudly exhaling if the mother has wandered away. Short repetitive sounds (similar to a purr) are used between a mother and her young to keep them close together. Javelina will squeal as a sign of submission during aggression or play. They also growl if too many are too close together when feeding. A loud woof is issued when the herd is surprised and takes flight.
Javelinas have poor eyesight; they can only focus within about 15 feet. When javelinas become scared and run in a panic they often will even run directly at the person that scared them, leading to the false folktale of folks becoming treed by javelinas. They often will allow a person to watch them -- just stay about 30 feet away!
Nature Notes is sponsored by the Dixon Water Foundation and is produced by KRTS Marfa Public Radio in cooperation with the Sibley Nature Center in Midland, Texas. This episode was written by Burr Williams of the Sibley Nature Center.