Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Javalina

I thought that since I mention Javalinas every once in a while, you might like to see some pictures that were taken by our old neighbors, Dale & Judy Truitt, behind their house along the wash. I particularly love this photo because it makes them look all cute. :)

Dale and Judy are amazing photographers. Last I heard, they had spent the summer camping up in Montana in their Airstream. I'd love to see the pictures that they took from up there.


Collared Peccary is the only wild, native, pig-like animal found in the United States.The Collared Peccary, also known as the Javelina, Tayaussa or the Musk Hog.They are called Javelina because of their razor-sharp tusks, Spanish for javelin or spear.You may smell a peccary before you see it.The prickly pear is ideal food for the Collared Peccary due to its high water content.Collared Peccary have poor eyesight and good hearing.
We've seen family packs of these guys around our neighborhood as well. Being in the desert, there are an abundance of prickly pear plants in peoples front yards, many with bites taken out of them.

7 comments:

septembermom said...

That's a new one for me! What cool close up pictures. My boys will be coming here to get their "taste of wildlife" today :) Thanks!

NanU said...

Hey, they are cute.
And it's a good thing there's something around to keep the prickly pear in check!

Dan Felstead said...

Ahhhh! My critter fix for the day! They look like nasty little creatures. I would hate to stumble upon one when it is cornered!

Dan

Unknown said...

oh dear, that is one animal that I would NOT want to have chase me down! The razor sharp teeth could do so serious damage! LOL

pam said...

I have never seen such a thing. They look scary.

Cynthia L. H. said...

Yep...more scary than cute to me, too. A woman in our area was walking on her property out in the country and came across wild boars...one of them gored her leg and did a lot of damage. I don't want to see one up close!

Scriptor Senex said...

We know them as Peccaries but only see them in zoos. Their teeth look as though they could one a hefty bite.

Flora & Fauna

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  • Life of Pi
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  • The Way the Crow Flies
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  • Poisonwood Bible
  • East of Eden
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