# Collared Peccary (*Dicotyles tajacu*)

> The collared peccary (Dicotyles tajacu) is a small pig-like mammal of the Americas with a whitish neck collar and sharp scent glands. Adults weigh about 20 kg, travel in herds, and are listed Least Concern.

- **Category:** Mammal
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Southwestern US through Central America into South America.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/collared-peccary/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Mammalia
- **Order:** Artiodactyla
- **Family:** Tayassuidae
- **Genus:** Dicotyles

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Dicotyles tajacu |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Habitat | Desert scrub, woodland, and rainforest |
| Lifespan | 10–15 years |
| Weight | 15–25 kg |
| Top speed | up to 35 km/h |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |

## Not a pig — a peccary

Peccaries are New World relatives of pigs with straight canines and a dorsal scent gland used for herd marking. A pale collar contrasts with dark bristly fur.

## Roots, fruit, and cactus

Omnivorous diet includes roots, tubers, fruit, agave, insects, and small vertebrates. Herds of 5–20 share trails and waterholes in dry country.

## Desert scrub to rainforest

Southwestern US through Central America into South American forests. Adaptable to thornscrub, oak woodland, and tropical edges.

## Resilient edge species

Least Concern and common in many protected areas. Roadkill and hunting pressure exist locally, but herds persist near suburbs in parts of Arizona and Texas.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the difference between peccaries and pigs?

Peccaries are native American taxa with scent glands on the back and different dental anatomy; feral pigs are Old World suids.

### Why do peccaries smell musky?

A dorsal scent gland secretes a strong odour used to mark herd members and territory.

### Do collared peccaries attack people?

They can bite if cornered, but usually flee; dogs sometimes provoke defensive herds.

### What is a baby peccary called?

A shoat or piglet — young travel with the herd from birth.

### Where do collared peccaries live in the US?

Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico deserts and scrublands, plus introduced areas in the Caribbean.

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/collared-peccary/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.