Collared Peccary
Scientific Name: Pecari tajacu
Family: Tayassidae
Description
The Collared Peccary, also known as the Javelina, is a medium-sized mammal native to the Americas. It has a stocky body covered with coarse, grayish-to-brownish fur that resembles bristles. Its most distinctive feature is the pale, often whitish, collar of fur that extends across the shoulders and around the neck, which gives it its common name. This collar contrasts with the darker fur along its back and sides. The Collared Peccary has a broad, flat snout with a keen sense of smell, and its ears are small and rounded. The animal's sharp hooves are adapted for rooting in the soil, while its long, coarse tail is barely noticeable.
Although it might resemble a wild pig, the Collared Peccary is a distinct species and is not closely related to true pigs. Unlike domestic pigs, peccaries have sharp canine teeth that protrude from their lower jaw and can be used for defense or when foraging.
Size and Shape
The Collared Peccary is a compact and muscular animal, with an average body length of 50 to 75 cm (20 to 30 inches) and a tail length of 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 inches). Its height at the shoulder is typically around 30 to 40 cm (12 to 16 inches). The Collared Peccary weighs between 16 to 27 kg (35 to 60 lbs), with males being slightly larger than females. Its stocky build and relatively short legs give it a low, stout appearance.
Its most prominent feature is the dark fur along its back and the pale, collar-like fur around the shoulders, which serves as its most distinguishing characteristic. Despite its somewhat unremarkable appearance, the Collared Peccary is an agile animal, well-adapted to moving through dense vegetation and the forest floor.
Habitat and Distribution
The Collared Peccary is widely distributed across the Americas, ranging from the southwestern United States, through Mexico, Central America, and down to northern South America. It prefers habitats such as dry forests, scrublands, savannas, and the edges of rainforests. It is highly adaptable and can thrive in a variety of ecosystems, as long as there is adequate cover and access to food.
The Collared Peccary is found in the park’s diverse habitats, including tropical dry forests and rainforests. The park’s mixture of coastal and inland habitats provides ample food resources, such as fruits, roots, and small invertebrates, which make the park an ideal location for this adaptable species.
Natural History and Behavior
The Collared Peccary is a primarily nocturnal and omnivorous animal that feeds on a variety of plant material, including fruits, roots, seeds, and leaves. It is also known to eat small vertebrates, insects, and carrion when the opportunity arises. Peccaries root in the soil to find underground food, using their sharp hooves and strong sense of smell to detect potential food sources.
These animals are social and typically live in groups called "sounders," which are usually composed of 2 to 20 individuals, although larger groups can be found during times of abundance. These groups are usually led by a dominant male and consist mainly of females and juveniles. Peccaries communicate with each other using a variety of vocalizations, including grunts, squeals, and snorts, which help maintain group cohesion and alert others to potential threats.
Collared Peccaries are highly territorial animals, marking their territory with scent glands located near their hind legs. They use these glands to rub on trees, rocks, or the ground, leaving behind a strong-smelling scent that serves as a marker to warn other peccaries to stay away. These animals are most active at night, although they may also be seen during the early morning or late afternoon.
Reproduction
The Collared Peccary has a relatively short gestation period of around 145 to 150 days, after which the female gives birth to one or two offspring. The young are born fully furred and can stand and walk shortly after birth. They rely on their mother's milk for the first few weeks but begin to sample solid food as early as 2 weeks of age. The young peccaries are raised within the safety of the group, where they learn important social and survival skills.
By 6 months of age, the young are weaned and can begin foraging for food independently, though they typically stay with the group for several months longer. Peccaries generally reach sexual maturity at around 1 year of age, and females may reproduce annually.
Conservation Status
The Collared Peccary is currently listed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). While the species is not currently at risk, it does face some localized threats from habitat loss, hunting, and competition with domestic animals. In certain areas, peccaries are hunted for their meat, and their populations can be affected by the loss of their natural habitat due to agricultural expansion and urbanization.
The Collared Peccary benefits from the protection of its tropical forest habitats. The park provides a secure environment where peccaries can forage, live, and reproduce without the direct threats of habitat destruction or hunting. Conservation efforts within the park also aim to preserve the biodiversity of the area, ensuring that the peccary population remains healthy and stable.
The Collared Peccary is an important part of the ecosystem in Manuel Antonio Park, where it plays a role in seed dispersal and helps to maintain the balance of the park’s plant and animal populations. With its unique physical traits, social behaviors, and adaptable nature, the Collared Peccary is a fascinating and integral species within the biodiversity of Central America. Its presence in the park helps to demonstrate the ecological richness and the complex relationships between species in tropical forest environments.