When one catches their first glimpse of a
javelina they usually think that it is some type of fury pig. Actually they are a peccary and a member of the
Tayassuidae family. Both peccary and pigs are members of the same suborder of mammals,
Suina, which is why they look similar and share some of the same characteristics.
Javelina are native to the warmer parts of North, Central and South America. I photographed this
javelina at
Bentsen State Park when we were in Texas last year.
Pigs are an invasive species in the Americas. Pigs originally evolved from wild boars which were over time domesticated by man. Wild boars were found through out much of Europe and Asia so when settlers came to the Americas they brought domestic pics with them. The main physical difference between pigs and peccaries are the tusks. Peccaries have short tusks which are straight where pigs have long tusks that curve around in on themselves. This is a photo of a feral or wild pig. Pigs that get loose or are let go can live out in the wild where they often compete for found with peccaries and other endemic species. I photographed this feral pig at the
Laguna Atascosa NWR in south Texas.
When one catches their first glimpse of a javelina they usually think that it is some type of fury pig. Actually they are a peccary and a member of the Tayassuidae family. Both peccary and pigs are members of the same suborder of mammals, Suina, which is why they look similar and share some of the same characteristics. Javelina are native to the warmer parts of North, Central and South America. I photographed this javelina at Bentsen State Park when we were in Texas last year. 
Pigs are an invasive species in the Americas. Pigs originally evolved from wild boars which were over time domesticated by man. Wild boars were found through out much of Europe and Asia so when settlers came to the Americas they brought domestic pics with them. The main physical difference between pigs and peccaries are the tusks. Peccaries have short tusks which are straight where pigs have long tusks that curve around in on themselves. This is a photo of a feral or wild pig. Pigs that get loose or are let go can live out in the wild where they often compete for found with peccaries and other endemic species. I photographed this feral pig at the Laguna Atascosa NWR in south Texas. 
3 comments:
Really interesting information, so ours in Taiwan are pigs. I will check on their task next time.
What a cool-looking animal!
A good friend of mine has a ranch in central Texas. It is becoming overrun with wild pigs. Scary how they are taking over. Nice shots!
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