Scientific Names: Tayassu pecari and Tayassu tajacu Distribution & Habitat White lipped (Tayassu pecari ) and collared peccaries are distributed throughout the neotropics. Both find their southern limits in northern Argentina, however the collared peccary extends further north than its counterpart inhabiting the south of the United States against a range that extends to southern Mexico. They inhabit a wide range of habitats from scrub desert to east Andean tropical rainforest. Appearance Although peccaries and pigs are classified in distinct families, with peccaries belonging to the family Tayassuidae, there are strong physical similarities and resemblances between the two families of mammals. Both collared and white lipped peccaries are brownish black and coarsely hairy, with the collared peccary exhibiting a pale yellowish band from the top of its shoulders to its lower cheek. The mane or crest of long hairs runs from head to rump, along the spine, beginning in the white lipped peccary above the eye, well infront of the ear [2]. They have large heads with nostrils in a naked disk that is smaller and less prominent above the rostrum in collared peccaries than in white lips. The white lipped peccary has a characteristic white lower cheek and chin, appearing quite distinct in some individuals. White lipped peccaries are larger than their collared counterparts. There is little difference between male and female white-lipped peccaries, both in size and general appearance [4, 10, 11] Natural History Collared peccaries are territorial, existing in small groups of less than ten individuals. They are widespread and commonly sighted throughout the neotropics [1, 15]. In contrast, white lipped peccaries exist in groups that range from ten to fifteen individuals in areas where they are threatened with extinction due to habitat loss or over hunting and up to 300 individuals in undisturbed forest. They do not exhibit territorial tendencies, but instead roam over large areas with ranges estimated to be 60-200 km2 for animals in the Peruvian Amazon [4, 8, 9]. This makes them particularly susceptible to forest fragmentation due to agricultural expansion. Indeed no other forest dwelling ungulates in the neotropics exhibit such social or nomadic tendencies, “which in fact resemble in size many plain dwelling ungulates” [3]. As a result sightings are unpredictable, though certain areas may be repeatedly visited if they offer abundant food sources or lie along migratory routes. The collared peccary due to its smaller group size and reduced home range requirements is much better adapted to hunting by humans and to man-made habitat alterations, and so survives better than white lipped peccaries in areas where human settlements are more numerous [1, 5]. White lips are reported as one of the most endangered mammals in the neotropics [1, 6, 12], in particular in Central America where habitat loss has been greatest [2]. The aggressive reputation of white lipped peccaries is undeserved and probably due more to the bulk volume of a pack alongside their impressive noise. Though the collared peccary flees at the first indication of human presence, the white lipped peccary is much less alarmed, though this may be due to their limited sight. Indeed it is possible to stand amongst white lipped peccaries without them being aware of your presence. Both species are diurnal, though white lips may forage or move on a night with a full moon [2]. Both collared and white lipped peccaries use mud hollows or salt licks called colpas, where they eat the clay as a mineral supplement to aid in detoxification of immature fruits or seeds [2]. White lips and collared peccaries are both omnivorous, however studies [4, 7] and anecdotal evidence collected by a number of authors [4, 9, 10, 14] suggest that their diet is primarily plant based with fruits, nuts and seeds comprising the bulk of their diet, whilst small invertebrates and vertebrates compose but a trace portion. Reproduction and Gender Ratios In a study of nine herds of white lipped peccaries female to male ratios of 1.4:1 to 1.8:1 were found in eight of the herds [1]. Collared peccaries are described as having an equal sex ratio throughout their range. Reproduction of the studied herds proved to be highly seasonal with rainfall and thus fruit availability the most influential factor in determining reproductive activity. This was contrasted with the Peruvian Amazon where with much less seasonal variation in rainfall, and therefore greater fruit availability throughout the year, reproductive activity was less concentrated towards times of greatest fruit availability. Both species rarely give birth to more than two young. They are born precocial, able to walk with the mother soon after birth. They live for an average of 7 to 8 years. References [1]. Altrichter, M., Drews, C., Carrillo, E. & Saenz J. (2000). Sex ratio and breeding of white lipped peccaries Tayassu pecari (Artiodactyla: Tayassuidae) in a Costa Rican rainforest. Programa Regional en Manejo de Vida Silvestre, Universidad Nacional, Apartado 1350-3000 Heredia, Costa Rica. http://rbt.ots.ac.cr/revistas/49-1/altrichter.html [2]. Emmons, L. H. (1997). Neotropical Rainforest Mammals: a field guide; Second edition. University of Chicago Press, USA [3]. Haemig, P. D. (2006). Sympatric White-lipped Peccary and Collared Peccary. Ecology Info No.10. www.ecology.info/ecology-peccaries.htm [4]. Huffman, B. (2006). Tayassu pecari, White-lipped peccary: An Ultimate Ungulate Fact Sheet. http://www.ultimateungulate.com/Artiodactyla/Tayassu_pecari.html Photo taken at mammal colpa in Refugio Amazonas, by: Chris Murray
