Peccary

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Dicotyles tajacu

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Tyassu pecari

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Catagonus wagneri

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The peccary (also known by its Spanish name, javelina) is a medium-sized mammal of the family Tayassuidae. Peccaries are related to pigs and hippopotamuses, but are found in the southwestern area of North America and throughout South America. It is sometimes erroneously said that they are members of the rodent order; they are not. Peccaries usually measure between 90 and 130 cm in length (3 to 4 feet), and a full-grown adult usually weighs between about 20 and about 40 kilograms (44 to 88 pounds).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

People often confuse peccaries, which are found in the New World, with pigs that originated in the Old World, especially since some domestic pigs brought by European settlers have escaped over the years and now run wild in many parts of the United States. These feral pigs are popularly known as razorback hogs. Relatives of the Old World pigs include the warthog of Africa. One of the ways to tell apart the two groups is the shape of the canine tooth, or tusk. In the Old World pigs the tusk is long and curves around on itself, whereas in the New World peccaries the tusk is short and straight. Peccaries are plant eaters and use their tusks for defense. By rubbing the tusks together they can make a chattering noise that warns potential predators to not get too close.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Spanish: Spanish can mean:...

Family: :This article is about the human domestic group. For other uses, see Family (disambiguation)....

Pigs: PIGS is a four letter acronym that can stand for:...