Habitat and Habits

-lives in herds of up to 50 individuals

        -contains family groups of up to 15 members

-herds stay together all year, but each family uses a different part of herd’s territory

-territories range from 0.2 to 3 sq. miles

-has a scent gland below each eye and one on back

-individual animals rub glands to "mark" each other

        -this may help them recognize one another

        -strengthens family bonds

-most active in cooler parts of the day

-in early morning plays with other family members

-uses wide range of sounds to communicate

        -includes coughing noise made by adult male to gather group

        -short alarm call

        -"laugh" that is made during squabbles

Food and Feeding

-eats roots, fruit, and seeds

-it some areas, the main food eaten is cacti

-also eats insects and small invertebrates

-locates food with sensitive snout, then digs food up with short, sharp tusks

        -this often damages crops

        -there have been campaigns to kill peccaries because of this damage

-has a two-chambered stomach

        -allows it to digest the high cellulose content of food

-uses powerful jaws to crush seeds

-chews in up-down motion instead of circular motion like other hoofed animals

Collared Peccary and Man

-threatened by habitat destruction as land is cleared for farming