General Information: Collared Peccary, or Javelina (Pecari tajacu), are medium-sized pig-like mammals growing to about 3 feet in length and weighing 30-50 pounds. The fur is dark overall (mix of black and white hairs), with a light line curving from the middle of the back, down this sides, and onto the chest, which makes the "collar." Modified incisor teeth form long tusks. Collared peccary release a strong musk, sometimes revealing their presence even if they can't be seen. Young animals are yellowish brown in color with a black stripe down the back.

Technical Description: Medium sized creature with short, pig-like snout. Four hoofed toes on the front feet; three on the hind feet (outer dewclaw missing); dagger-like tusks (canine teeth). Pelage grizzled black and grayish, stiff mane from crown to rump, pale collar across shoulder of adults. Pelage of young reddish to yellow-brown, black stripe down back. External measurements: total length, 870–1,016 mm; tail, 12 mm; hind foot, 210 mm; height at shoulder, 816 mm. Weight, 13–25 kg.

Taxonomy: Order: Artiodactyla (Even-toed Hoofed Mammals); Family: Tayassuidae (Peccary).

Breeding: Herds include animals of both sexes and all ages, but only the dominant male mates. Mating is tied to rainfall rather than a specific season.

Diet: Mostly plant material such as fruit, roots, grasses, and cactus, but they will also eat bugs and small animals.

Range: Southern Arizona and southern Texas, south into central South America.

Comments: Collared peccaries are social, diurnal creatures that live in groups of up to about 50 individuals. They normally ignore humans but will defend themselves if threatened, especially if they feel that the young are threatened. Collared peccaries have long, sharp tusks with which they can slash a predator or unsuspecting human.

If you were just about anything tasty, perhaps a spiny cactus pad, this might be the last face you ever see!