The peccary is an animal that can be most closely related to the pig. It has a pig like snout and shares in the size of a small pig, weighing 30-66 pounds. Unlike pigs, the peccary is covered in thick, bristle lick hair, usually of salt and pepper color. The peccary can be found throughout South America and in the southwestern regions of the United States. Peccary are scavenging animals that are capable of surviving in deserts and dry climates. Their keen sense of smell and resourcefulness allow them to find buried plants and many other kinds of hard-to-find food. Wild peccaries are pack animals and perform most of their actions in the group setting. Peccaries are generally more mild mannered and timid, as long as they are not provoked or threatened. When they do feel in danger, the entire pack will act aggressively to defend itself. Peccary are agile and strong, and have sharp teeth, which make them very adept at protecting themselves. They are known to be able to fight off dogs, coyotes and cougars. The peccary has several variations across South and North America. The collard peccary is the only type in the United States. The collard peccary is a slightly smaller version of the peccary and is found in the deserts of southwestern Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. It can also be found in areas ranging from Central America to Argentina. The white-lipped peccary is the other most common form of peccary. They can be found in South America and have adapted to thrive in tropical, jungle climates.
The peccary is an animal coveted by both humans and predators, which, as of late, has put peccary populations in danger. In North America, the peccary serves as one of the main forms of game for hunters in areas such as Arizona and Texas. This interest, and sometimes over hunting of the peccary has led to dwindling numbers of some local populations. In Central and South America, the peccary are a highly desired source of meat and their coats are seen as very valuable as well. The exploitation of the peccary for entertainment, food and fur has led to declining populations in these regions. On a less threatening scale, peccaries are also hunted by jaguars, pumas and coyotes. In many cases, young peccaries are captured and used as domestic farm animals, or pets.
Some South American countries have used the peccary to try and assess the health of rainforests. In Brazil, they have started to keep track of the white-lipped peccary behavior in forests; because they realize that the peccary has a great effect on their habitats biodiversity. When a peccary population is effected, it means that there could be a wide range of environmental issues, such as fruit and water sources, hunting pressure and even the economic conditions of adjacent agricultural lands. Though the peccary seems like an unassuming scavenger, it actually has great effect on the environment in which it lives.
