Photo by George Wall

Their given name is a Peccary, but they are truly wild pigs of the New World. I took the above picture at Cordes Junction on November 11, 2010, on one of our birding trips.

Description:  These mammals are about 3-4 feet long and 20-24” in height. They weigh anywhere from 45 to 85 pounds. Their hair is course and their color is a mixed black and gray. The upper tusks are pointed down. They have 3 toes on each hind foot.

The female is brown all over.

Habitat:   They like brushy areas that are semi desert with mesquite, cacti, and other shrubs especially near waterholes. They like to run in herds.

Diet:   They prefer roots, grass, cacti and seeds; however, they will eat small animals.

Range: Their range covers the lower half of eastern Arizona, small corner of New Mexico, almost half of Texas and all down through Mexico into South America.

Breeding:They usually have 2 young, but can have up to 5. 

Other Species and Similar Ones:There are 4 species - (1) The Collared that are found in our area down into South America (2) The White-lipped that is found in Central and South America (3) The Chacoan which is found in Paraguay, Bolivia and Argentina and (4) The Giant which is found in the Brazilian Amazon. The Wild Boar is a similar species, but they have upper tusks that curve upward and 4 toes on their hind feet. 

Interesting Facts:Their odor is strong enough to be picked up by humans, which earns them the nickname of skunk pig.