Class: MAMMALIA

Order: ARTIODACTYLA

Family: TAYASSUIDAE

In its native range, the collared peccary goes by a variety of names, such as javelina, musk-hog, and quenk.

This family of swine contains three genera in all, each of which contain a single species. [With the disputed exception of Dicolytes, see more info below] All three species superficially resemble pigs in general appearance and morphology, though they have been classed as separate families for over 200 years, though they do share a common ancestor with the ‘true pigs’. All three species are to be found across Southern North America, and Central South America. Fossils attributed to peccaries have been found on, aside from Australasia and Antarctica, all continents, and these fossils can be as old as 40 million years. It is thought that during the Eocene, the peccary diverged from a common ancestor with the true pigs which was native to Europe, and from there, the Peccary would spread across the world, though the only survivors today are those of the Americas.

The three peccary genera are Dicolytes, containing the Collared Peccary [D. Tejacu], Tayassu, containing the White-Lipped Peccary [T. Pecari], and Catagonus, containing the Chacoan Peccary [C. Wagneri]. Morphological similarities between Pecari and Catagonus suggest perhaps a common ancestry, though interestingly, whilst the two genera Tayassu and Pecari had been described since the 1700s, it would not be until 1930 that the Chacoan Peccary of genus Catagonus would be described – though at the time, this discovery was indirect – as opposed to basing the classification off a living animal, or a derivative specimen, this description was based off a fossil specimen, making only two species of peccary thought to exist in the relative present day. In 1971, however, living animals of the genus would be found in South America, thus making the species’ existence known to Western Science, though natives of the region had long known of the existence of the peccaries. In addition to being the most recent species described, the Chacoan Peccary is also the largest – it may be 70 centimetres at the shoulder, and may weigh 40 kilograms. However, whilst three species of peccary are universally recognised, what was thought to be a fourth species was described in 2007 by German biologist Roosmalen – the aptly named “Giant Peccary” was estimated to be larger than the three species known at the time, though Roosmalen’s peccary has not been without its scrutiny – as some point out that the estimates given for “Pecari* Maximus” are quite in the upper range of the Collared Peccary. To add, the Collared Peccary is perhaps the most genetically and morphologically varied of its family, even more so than the two other species, with various builds of Collared Peccary found throughout South America. As such, it is unlikely that Roosmalen’s Giant Peccary, from the evidence presented, constitutes a bona-fide species in its own right, and most authorities believe it to be simply a lineage of Collared Peccary. In all, the three valid species of peccary all share a similar build, in that they are pig-like, but with more rotund aspects, such as a more rounded head. To add, the peccaries also have a varying extent of a shoulder-mane, in that the Collared Peccary has one to an extent, though this is greatly amplified on the Chacoan Peccary. The Chacoan Peccary also shares the white, characteristic band of the Collared Peccary, the peccary’s namesake “collar”. The White-lipped Peccary, however, has no such band or mane, but has a white streak round its muzzle, and a layer of mane-like hair on its back, which can stand erect. Morphology of the Collared Peccary is largely variable, with animals living in open spaces, such as the Sonora Desert being large and stocky, but those living in the rainforest more sleek and compact. So-called “Giant Peccaries” of the Amazon are described as having no collar at all, with the scent glands of the peccary de-emphasised. Biologists believe this simply to be adaptations found in a single lineage of Collared Peccary, as opposed to the “Giant Peccary” being a species in its own right. As is the case with other swine [including true pigs, as well as all other artiodactyls] the Peccaries have a split hoof, as well as a large snout, making for a good sense of smell. In addition, the peccary also has a good sense of hearing, essential to sense a predator in the nearby area. The peccaries’ fur is coarse and bristly, almost resembling thickened quills. With a good sense of smell, Peccaries use the scent glands of their rear to mark a territory, as well as each other, as to recognise peccaries in a coalition. The odour is said to be particularly pungent, hence giving rise to the colloquial name, “musk-hog”. In addition to being more rounded, the skull of the peccary also contains two large fang-teeth which the true pigs lack.

*Recently, “Dicolytes” has been accepted as the proper generic name, with “Pecari” redubbed a junior synonym.

Although different in morphology, the three species of peccary all seem to share similar behavioural traits – The Chacoan, collared, and white-lipped are all very social, the latter most so, which may form herds of up to 300 individual animals. Groups of the collared peccary seem smaller – the largest herd was, on record, comprised of 50 animals. The Chacoan species seems the least social – it may only form congregations of 10 animals. Although the Collared Peccary forms typically smaller herds than the White-lipped Peccary, Collared Peccary sociality is much individual – in that various congregations of collared peccaries can have somewhat different behaviour from other congregations. In a desert habitat, rain brings fertility – and this is especially the case with the breeding of the collared peccary – as more piglets are born in wetter years, though the species does not have a set mating season, instead breeding throughout the year. In a herd, only one dominant male may be allowed to mate with his harem of sows, with the other dominance typically ranked by the animal’s size. The gestation may last for about 5 months before the piglet is born – it is miniature in comparison to its parent, though it quickly develops a distinctive collar. At birth, when the mother sow is particularly vulnerable, it will diverge from the main herd as to avoid an attack from a predator, such as a puma or coyote. The divergence typically lasts for a day or so, after which they re-unite with the herd. Sows may become sexually mature around 11 months of age, boars typically around the same time, give or take a few months. Typically, all three species of peccary are somewhat placid – though if taunted by a potential threat, they can become aggressive, using sharp teeth to their advantage. The cognitive potential of the peccary is yet to be extensively studied, but studies with pigs, the close relative of the peccary, show very high cognitive function, so it could be that the same is true for the peccary species. Peccaries are largely herbivorous, their diet made up almost entirely of plant matter, such as fruits, seeds, and branches – though occasionally, animal matter is also to be eaten – typically eggs or carrion. Typically, the wild peccary will live for about 10 years, though peccaries kept in zoos have been known to live twice as long. Similar to pigs, peccaries typically communicate through both scent-marking and vocalisations, such as grunting.

The people who have lived longest with the peccary are probably native people who lived in the Americas – for Mayans, peccary were definitely a vital food source, and so it was that Mayans would not only hunt, but farm peccary much like the farming of pigs in Europe. From there, Peccaries have also been found to play a curious role in art and ritual attributed to the Maya – being depicted in fantastical situations, and also in the form of sculptures seemingly shaped like peccaries themselves. Alongside Mesoamerican society, it would be that peoples who came afterwards would learn to appreciate peccaries, and in South America, peccaries can still be found on farms, in a similar manner to pigs. In the Western World, the peccary is appreciated most in books and in the zoo – As the Chacoan Peccary is now an endangered species, the American Zoological Association has brought in support for more zoos to exhibit the Chacoan Peccary, and thus support the breeding programme. The Collared Peccary, whilst more numerous, is being partially phased-out as to prioritise the rarer Chacoan Peccary. The White-lipped Peccary is kept in almost no zoos of North America, with few on the European continent. In North America, the peccary has also become a popular animal hunted for game, after which the skins and meat may be sold, though farmed peccaries’ skin is also sold in some cases, typically as leather.

The most common species of peccary, the Collared Peccary, is not in imminent danger of extinction, as it is very common in its natural range, from Southern-North America to South America. The White-lipped Peccary, of which its natural habitat is rainforest, is categorised as being 'Vulnerable' by the IUCN, largely due to destruction of its natural habitat. The Chacoan Peccary, however, is at most risk of extinction, categorised as an 'Endangered' species. Although no census has been carried out for any of the three species, it has been observed that the Chacoan species has vanished from large areas of the Argentine Chaco, also largely due to destruction of its natural habitat. Conservationists believe that less than 1000 Chacoan Peccaries remain in the wild. As such, zoological organisations have prioritised the holding and breeding of Chacoan animals specifically for this reason, as to work as ex-situ conservation. However, a release, whilst perhaps possible, is yet to be carried out.