The collared peccary (Pecari tajacu) is a species of mammal in the family Tayassuidae that is found in North, Central, and South America. They are commonly referred to as javelina, saíno or báquiro, although these terms are also used to describe other species in the family. The species is also known as the musk hog and Mexican hog. In Trinidad, it is colloquially known as quenk.
Ten Facts about Collared Peccary
- Adult collared peccaries can be up to a meter long, from nose to tail, and weigh as much as 30 kg, but usually less.
- Mostly herbivorous, collared peccaries eat bulbs, tubers, cactus fruit, and insects. They especially enjoy prickly pear.
- Peccaries are highly social and live in groups of six to 18 individuals, led by a dominant male.
- They are active in the morning and evening.
- Collaried peccaries are sometimes called "musk hogs" because of a strong odor emitted from musk glands near the rump and eyes.
- There lifespan is about 24 years.
- Range is tropical and subtropical Americas, ranging from the Southwestern United States to northern Argentina in South America.
- Deserts and xeric shrublands, tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands, flooded grasslands and savannas, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests.
- Age of Sexual Maturity is 11 months (males); 8 to 14 months (females).
- Gestation Period is 141 to 151 days.
