Scientific Name:  Tayassu tajacu

Temporal Activity:  Active during the day or at night if it is cold.

Diet:  Eats seeds, mesquite beans, roots, tubers, green vegetation, cactus fruits, prickly pear pads, and agaves.  They may also eat dead birds and rodents. 

Predators:  Mountain lions will prey upon adults.  Coyote, bobcats, and other animals prey upon baby javelina.

Breeding:  Breeding takes place year-round.  They usually give birth to twins.

Notes:  This is a medium sized animal about 40-50 pounds.  Javelina are common in the Arizona Upland and can be found in saguaro-palo verde forests and grasslands with shrubs and cacti.  As they move through an area they feed as they go while food falls from their mouths.  An experienced sow will lead a group of these social animals that are found in groups of 2-20 defending areas of 700 to 800 acres.  Javelinas have a small organ that produces an oily liquid with a distinct smell that helps them to identify themselves.  Each herd has its own smell.   They rub up against each other and mark rocks and trees with their sent.

Photo: To be added.

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