from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Tajacu \Ta*ja[,c]"u\, Tajassu \Ta*jas"su\, n. [Pg. taja[,c]['u],
from Braz. taya[,c]['u] a hog or swine.] (Zool.)
The common, or collared, peccary ({Tayassu tajacu}). Called
also {javelina} and {tayaussa}.
[1913 Webster + PJC]
Javelina
Common Names: Collared Peccary, Musk Hog, Tayaussa
Genus: Tayassu
Species: tajacu
The [a href="images]javelina.gif">javelina is the only
wild pig in North America. It looks exactly like a real
pig except a little bigger. It is a grizzled
blackish-gray color with a yellowish band which runs
under the neck. The name {collared peccary} comes from
the ruff of hair around its neck. It has small, round
ears and beady eyes. Its body is barrel-shaped with
short legs. Its head is pointed, ending in a disc-like
nose. Javelinas have 3 toes on each hind foot. The
upper tusks (1.5 inches long) are pointed down, instead
of up like some other wild pigs. The javelina grows
from 46 to 60 inches long, and can weigh up to 60
pounds.
Javelinas live in the canyon area of the desert. They
live there because it is bushy and there are water
holes everywhere. They need the bushes for the shade
and they need lots of water to live.
The javelina eats cacti, grass, bulbs, berries,
flowers, mushrooms, and fruit, which is easy for them
to get in their habitat.
The javelina always travel and live in groups. The
female gives birth to twins about once a year. Her
young travel with the group their whole life until they
die. No new members are ever accepted into the group
unless they are born into it.
The javelinas have a very good nose. That can have its
advantages if there is a predator around. They also
look for food in groups so if they're attacked they can
fight back in numbers.
The javelina's niche is the water holes and bushes in
the canyon area where they live. They get shade under
the bushes, so they won't over heat. They can't survive
long without water, so it's good to have water close by
if you are a javelina.
Javelinas' status in the wild is very good right now.
There are lots of them around and they're not dying off
or going extinct. --Tristan A.
(from
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/javelina.htm,
2000.)
[PJC]