Editing Peccary (section)

==Characteristics==
[[File:Sus scrofa & Tayassu pecari.jpg|thumb|left|Skulls of [[wild boar]] (left) and [[white-lipped peccary]] (right): Note how the upper canines of the peccary point downwards.]]
A peccary is a medium-sized animal, with a strong resemblance to a [[Suidae|pig]]. Like a pig, it has a [[snout]] ending in a [[cartilage|cartilaginous]] disc and eyes that are small relative to its head. Also like a pig, it uses only the middle two digits for walking, although, unlike pigs, the other toes may be altogether absent. Its [[stomach]] is not [[ruminant|ruminating]]. Though it has three chambers, it is more complex than those of pigs.<ref name=EoM>{{cite book |editor=Macdonald, D. |author=Castellanos, Hernan |year=1984 |title=The Encyclopedia of Mammals |publisher=Facts on File |location=New York |pages=[https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofma00mals_0/page/504 504–505] |isbn=978-0-87196-871-5 |url=https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofma00mals_0 |url-access=registration}}</ref> Peccaries are [[Foregut fermentation|foregut fermenters]] (pigs are [[hindgut fermentation|hindgut fermenters]]).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jordano |first=Pedro |date=2016-12-27 |title=It takes guts to disperse seeds: the amazing physiologies of megafauna |url=https://pedrojordano.wordpress.com/2016/12/28/it-takes-guts-to-disperse-seeds-the-amazing-physiologies-of-megafauna/ |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=The Red Notebook {{!}} Pedro Jordano |language=en}}</ref> This foregut fermentation, similar to but separately evolved from a ruminant, is an example of [[convergent evolution]].

Peccaries are omnivores and will eat insects, grubs, and occasionally small animals, although their preferred foods consist of roots, [[grass]]es, seeds, fruit,<ref name=EoM/> and [[cactus|cacti]]—particularly [[opuntia|prickly pear]].<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g3-kkgAxxnoC |title=Javelinas and Other Peccaries: Their Biology, Management, and Use |first=Lyle K. |last=Sowls |edition=2nd |publisher=[[Texas A&M University Press]] |year=1997 |isbn=978-0-89096-717-1 |pages=69–70}}</ref> Pigs and peccaries can be differentiated by a number of characteristics, including tails and ear shape. The ears of pigs are large and upright and often pointed while the ears of peccaries are small and rounded. Pigs also have tasseled tails, but peccaries' tails are small and discreet.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Peccary |website=San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: Animals & Plants |url=https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/peccary |access-date=April 24, 2023}}</ref>

The most noticeable difference between pigs and peccaries is the shape of the canine teeth, or [[tusk]]s. In European pigs, the tusks are long and curve around on themselves, whereas in peccaries, the tusks are short and straight and interlock with each other, prohibiting side-to-side movement of the jaw. The jaws and tusks of peccaries are adapted for crushing hard seeds and slicing into plant roots,<ref name="EoM" /><ref name=":0" /> and they also use their tusks to defend against predators. The [[dentition|dental formula]] for peccaries is: {{DentalFormula|upper=2.1.3.3|lower=3.1.3.3}}

By rubbing the tusks together, they can make a chattering noise that warns potential [[Predation|predators]] to stay away.

Peccaries are [[social animals]], often forming [[herds]]. Over 100 individuals have been recorded for a single herd of white-lipped peccaries, but [[Collared peccary|collared]] and [[Chacoan peccary|Chacoan peccaries]] usually form smaller groups. Such social behavior seems to have been the situation in [[extinct]] peccaries as well. The [[giant peccary]] (''Pecari maximus'') of Brazil appears to be less social, primarily living in pairs.<ref name=description>{{cite journal |url=http://library.wur.nl/WebQuery/wurpubs/360180 |author1=Roosmalen, M.G.M. |author2=Frenz, L. |author3=Hooft, W.F. van |author4=Iongh, H.H. de |author5=Leirs, H. |year=2007 |title=A New Species of Living Peccary (Mammalia: Tayassuidae) from the Brazilian Amazon |journal=Bonner Zoologische Beiträge |volume=55 |issue=2 |pages=105–112}}</ref> Peccaries rely on their social structure to defend territory, protect against predators, regulate temperature, and interact with other members of the species.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Javelina |website=Arizona's Wildlife |publisher=Arizona Game and Fish Department |url=https://www.azgfd.com/wildlife/livingwith/javelina/ |access-date=2016-02-17}}</ref>

Peccaries have [[scent gland]]s below each eye and another on their backs, though these are believed to be [[rudimentary organ|rudimentary]] in ''P. maximus''. They [[scent marking|use the scent to mark]] herd territories, which range from {{convert|75|to|700|acre|ha|-1|order=flip|abbr=off}}. They also mark other herd members with these scent glands by rubbing one against another. The pungent odor allows peccaries to recognize other members of their herd, despite their [[myopic]] vision. The odor is strong enough to be detected by humans, which earns the peccary the nickname of "skunk pig".