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Collared Peccary

Collared Peccary look very much like a medium-size domestic pig. They have an average length of around 1 meter and a height of between 0.3-0.4-meters. Their weight is around 16-35 kg. Their coat is a greyish colour, with each bristle made up of alternating black and white rings. These bristles get darker until they become almost black at the tips. Front dorsal hairs are erectile and when the animal is aroused or scared they form a mane. Quiet a sight. They are also characterized by a yellow band going from the throat to the shoulders. Their head is broad and ends in a snout which the animal uses to dig in the soil in search of food. Ears are small, erect, and pointed.

Collared Peccary are found in groups of 5 to15 or more individuals. The herd usually wanders within a territory ranging between 0.7 and 1.5 square kms. There is typically more than one herd in a region, each with their own territory. They prefer dense humid places where there is abundant food, they are very cautious and always alert. With in their territory they have particular routes which they always use. While foraging they march in a single file, with older males at the front to guard, followed by females with young, and lastly by younger males who guard the rear.

Collared Peccaries are omnivorous. Their diet consists of fruits, young shoots, seeds, and roots, and they often play havoc with farmers crops. As delicacies they throw in worms, insects, and larvae, and whenever possible, any occasional lizard, snake, small bird or rodent. They usually feed in the early morning and late afternoon. Females reach sexual maturity around 1 year and males at around 10 months of age. Pregnancy lasts around 3 to 4 months, after which 1-4 young are born, usually two.

Collared Peccaries are hunted by jaguars, cougars, ocelots, and sometimes by coyotes. A herd of Peccaries though can put up quite a fight against animal attackers, which at times results in the attacker coming of second best. Humans hunt the Collared Peccaries also mainly for their meat, and also at times because of the Collared Peccaries habit of raided gardens for flowers and vegetables. Habitat destruction is also a large problem for Collared Peccaries.

Collared Peccaries where once prolific threw out Honduras. Their population now is restricted to remoter unpopulated regions and the unvisited, remote core zones of many protected areas. During a visit to one of the remote less visited national parks or protected areas, you may be extreme lucky and stumble across a feeding herd of Collared Peccaries, more likely though is that you may see Collared Peccaries paths made though the dense under growth.

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