The peccaries became separated from other swine by crossing to the New World in the Oligocene. All three species of peccary alive today are fairly similar. They are all omnivorous, with a similar diet to the pigs in the Old World. Peccaries also have a very sensitive snout and they will use their tusk-like canines to cut roots. Peccaries are found in a variety of habitats in their range extending throughout South America and the southern portion of North America, including scrub, grassland, tropical forest and thorn forest.
All species travel in herds of varying sizes and show cooperative defence.
The peccary is hunted for meat, but the greatest threat to its future is habitat loss. A collared peccary. Compare the general shape of the peccary above with that of the tapir, a perissodacyl also found in the forests of South and Central America. Both are stocky, with short legs and a blunt snout. Hippopotmi are rarely seen out of the water during the day but must leave their pools at night to graze.