Pecari tajacu (Linnaeus, 1758)

Collared peccary

Species recognized by The Integrated Taxonomic Information System external link, T Orrell (custodian) in 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC) external link Showing: scientific names

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Pecari tajacu (Linnaeus, 1758)

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Pecari tajacu
Pecari tajacu
Pecari tajacu (Linnaeus, 1758)
Pecari tajacu (Linnaeus, 1758)
Pecari tajacu (Linnaeus, 1758)
Pecari tajacu (Linnaeus, 1758)
Pecari tajacu (Linnaeus, 1758)
Pecari tajacu

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General Description

Description

Source and Additional Information
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Smithsonian's North American Mammals external link
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Smithsonian Institution - North American Mammals external link
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Citation

There are only three species of Peccaries in the world, all in South America. Only Collared Peccaries also live in North America. Their range includes a great variety of habitats, and they eat all kind of vegetation, including cactus. They live in highly social and communicative groups. Grooming is an important social behavior, and they have at least 15 different types of calls signaling alarm, submission, and aggression. Territorial groups of 15-50 animals stay together, and cooperate to defend the herd, but they form subgroups that disperse to feed. An alpha male is the dominant animal in the herd. Peccaries often have twins.

Links:
Mammal Species of the World
References
  • Linnaeus, C., 1758.  Systema Naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classis, ordines, genera, species cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Tenth Edition, Laurentii Salvii, Stockholm, 1:50, 824 pp.
"Pecari tajacu (Linnaeus, 1758)". Encyclopedia of Life, available from "http://www.eol.org/pages/1037712". Accessed 17 Mar 2010.