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Name || Collared Peccary

Scientific Name || Tayassu tajacu

Conservation Status || Low risk, least concern

Habitat || Forest, woodland and some deserts of Central and Southern America.

Unique Features || Collared peccaries are named after the ring of white fur around their necks. They have complex stomachs that enable them to break down otherwise indigestible foods. In adults there is a mane that extends down the crown of the head to the rump, which is most obvious when the peccary is excited. Social Behaviour || Peccaries live in close knit family groups. Peccaries usually travel in a band from six to 12 although as many as 50 have been seen together. Diet || Peccaries are omnivorous, which means that they can eat a wide range of foods, although they prefer roots, fruit and seeds. Reproduction || Females leave the herd to give birth to two or three babies. Both the parents look after the young. Life Cycle || Peccaries can live for up to 10 years in the wild, up to 25 years in captivity. Relatives || There are three species of peccary - the collared, spectacled and white-lipped. They are also related to pigs, although they are classified in a family of their own due to anatomical differences. Interesting Facts : Both male and female are assertive and will defend their territory and their young. An adult peccary will confront a predator to attract its attention while the others escape. They are also called Javelina (pronounced ha-va-LEE-nas) because of their razor sharp tusks, Spanish for javelin or spear. Peccaries also have a powerful musk gland on the top of the rump. Their odour is always apparent, especially when they are excited. You may smell a peccary before you see it. Breeding Programme || Our peccaries are a non-breeding group. Environmental Conditions || The natural range of the peccary is decreasing, and their numbers are dwindling due to human impact on their habitat. They are also killed due to the damage they can do to crops and farmland. At Wellington Zoo || We have four adult peccaries, three males and one female.

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