Tommy Johnson
New member
This may not be anything new, but it sure looks like it disproves the theory that javelinas are cousins to the rat.
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/edu/regions/southtexas.phtml
"The javelina is North America’s only native pig-like animal. Javelinas are related to hogs. They are also related to hippos! Hogs, like the ones you see on farms, are true pigs. Javelinas are peccaries. That is why we say javelinas are “pig-like.” There are many different kinds of pigs, but only three kinds of peccaries. Pigs are from the Old World, such as Asia, Africa, and Europe. Peccaries are from the New World, like North and South America. Pigs come in many different colors, but javelinas are always brownish-black with a white “collar” of fur around their neck. Pigs are usually a lot bigger than peccaries, too—javelinas only grow to be about two feet high.
Javelinas communicate with each other by grunting and squealing. They also communicate by smell. A gland on their back near the base of their tail, called a musk gland, makes a strong-smelling oil. The javelinas that live in the same herd will often rub their faces on each others’ backs. When they do this, they mix their scents together. Then all the javelinas in one herd will have the same smells, and javelinas from other herds will smell different. Javelinas also mark their territory this way. Cacti—especially prickly pear pads and tunas, or fruits—provide javelinas with food and water. Sometimes they eat nuts, other kinds of fruits, and insects."
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/edu/regions/southtexas.phtml
"The javelina is North America’s only native pig-like animal. Javelinas are related to hogs. They are also related to hippos! Hogs, like the ones you see on farms, are true pigs. Javelinas are peccaries. That is why we say javelinas are “pig-like.” There are many different kinds of pigs, but only three kinds of peccaries. Pigs are from the Old World, such as Asia, Africa, and Europe. Peccaries are from the New World, like North and South America. Pigs come in many different colors, but javelinas are always brownish-black with a white “collar” of fur around their neck. Pigs are usually a lot bigger than peccaries, too—javelinas only grow to be about two feet high.
Javelinas communicate with each other by grunting and squealing. They also communicate by smell. A gland on their back near the base of their tail, called a musk gland, makes a strong-smelling oil. The javelinas that live in the same herd will often rub their faces on each others’ backs. When they do this, they mix their scents together. Then all the javelinas in one herd will have the same smells, and javelinas from other herds will smell different. Javelinas also mark their territory this way. Cacti—especially prickly pear pads and tunas, or fruits—provide javelinas with food and water. Sometimes they eat nuts, other kinds of fruits, and insects."
