Anatomy: Peccaries are hoofed mammals that resemble pigs but are not closely related to pigs. These artiodactyls have a flat, rubbery, pig-like snout, short legs, and a stocky body. They are covered with short, brown, black and/or gray bristly hair. Collared peccaries have a distinctive thin collar of white fur on the shoulders. They have downward-pointing, razor-like canine teeth (1.5 inches = 3.8 cm long) ; this animal's Spanish name, javelina, comes from the Spanish word for "spear." The collared peccary is the smallest of the peccaries; it is 22 inches (56 cm) tall at the shoulder, 3 feet (0.9 m) long, and weighs 31-60 pounds (14-27 kg).

Diet: The javelina or collared peccary is primarily an herbivore. It eats a variety of plants, including the prickly pear cactus, roots, plant bulbs, grass shoots, fruit, nuts, berries, mushrooms, grubs, and eggs.

Predators: Peccaries are hunted by many animals, including coyotes, bobcat, wild dogs, pumas, and jaguars.