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Description:
Chacoan peccaries are pig-like mammals with bristly, brown-gray fur, tough, leathery snouts and strong jaws and tusks for crushing seeds and slicing plant roots. Weighing 64–95 pounds, they are the largest and least common of three peccary species. Their skeletons and teeth differ from pigs. They also have scent glands on their ridged backs that give off a strong, musky odor.
Latin Name
Catagonus wagneriClass
MammalsOrder
ArtiodactylaRange
South America’s Gran Chaco region in Paraguay, Bolivia and Southern BrazilStatus
Chacoan peccaries are considered an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Their formerly isolated habitat has been fragmented by large ranches, and hunting has also reduced their population.Habitat
Semi-arid thorn forest, open woodland and savanna
Niche
In their arid habitat, peccaries have adapted to eat different kinds of cacti. They remove the spines by rolling the plants on the ground with their tough snouts. Chacoan peccaries forage succulent plants for water, seek out salt licks for vital minerals and occasionally eat roots, seed pods and flowers.Life History
Chacoan peccaries live in herds of up to 10 individuals. Litters usually consist of two young, born after a five-month gestation period, generally from September to December. Females sometimes leave the herd to give birth and return afterward.Special Adaptations
- Specialized kidneys break down cacti acid, and two-chambered stomachs are well suited to digest tough foods.
- A milky, odorous substance secreted from glands on the back is used to mark territory and identify individuals.
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