Peccaries in Costa Rica are critically endangered as they are a poachers’ favorite animal. They are similar in size to our wild boars and they taste just as delicious. The peccary can be easily observed and photographed during hikes.
Peccaries belong to the order even-toed ungulates and are related to the Old World pigs, which includes our domestic pig. Peccaries can be divided into three subspecies, the collared peccary, the whiskered peccary, and the Chaco peccary. The pigs are found from Central to South America, and some have been discovered in the south-west of the USA. You can mainly see them in small packs with a maximum of 20 animals such as with collared peccaries but whiskered peccaries sometimes congregate in large packs of up to 300 animals.
The name “peccary” comes from the Tupi Indians and means something like “animal that makes many paths through the forest”. The name comes from the trail of the pigs. Because they often go the same way in their search for food and over time well-trodden paths develop in the thicket. Peccaries are similar in shape to small wild boars. Their long bristles are usually dark brown to grayish in color. A stocky body sits on their long, slender legs and there is a gland on their back from which they can spray a strongly smelling secretion. It is assumed that this is also used for communication. Their teeth are equipped with sharp and strong canines, which they sometimes use to defend themselves even against large predators such as the jaguar.
Peccaries are omnivores, feeding on roots, grass, fruit, lizards, eggs, and anything else they can find on the forest floor. Peccaries always reproduce within their pack. Gestation is about 140 days and usually they only have two piglets. After the young are born they are able to explore their surroundings after just a few minutes. After just one week the newborns are able to take in solid food in addition to their mother’s milk.
The peccary’s habitat ranges from deserts and grasslands to tropical rainforests but they seem to avoid higher ground. Peccaries love to wallow in the mud mainly to protect themselves from insects and are good swimmers so large rivers are no obstacle for them. A good way to see collared peccaries is in the Corcovado National Park.
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