Javelina Rooting in the Mud

I shot this video in spring 2006 in northern Arizona. There were four javelina (collared peccaries) in a herd that came to this waterhole to drink. This guy was first. Javelina may not be pigs, but they are distantly related to them- and you can sure see that here, the way this one roots in the mud. (They are NOT rodents, which some people I meet seem to think... I think those people must confuse them with the capybara, which is a large South American rodent... but javelina are more closely related to pigs than they are to rodents.) Whatever they are, they're fun to watch. This guy didn't know I was there or he'd have been long gone.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• javelina
• collared
• peccaries
• peccary
• arizona
• wildlife

[thinkurcool]

Don't javelinas atack people?

[Jamberlyn]

They have a reputation for being ferocious but it's not really true. I've encountered many javelina herds here in AZ and they have never been aggressive (even when I stumbled upon a herd of them in a narrow canyon one night after dark). However, when startled they'll run in all directions and sometimes unwittingly run right at a person- which could seem "aggressive". Keep in mind, though, they're wild animals and will defend themselves if they feel they need to. They also will attack dogs.

[videocamper]

Strange looking but way cool creatures. Surprising how far North they have migrated. I've seen them at about 7000 ft in elevation. This video must be up pretty high?

[Jamberlyn]

Yes, this was filmed in ponderosa pine forest- not exactly typical javelina habitat! :) However, as they move north, it's becoming more and more common to see them at higher elevations in the pine forest.

[thinkurcool]

oh ok thx