The prickly pear is ideal food for the Collared Peccary due to its high water content. Collared Peccary have poor eyesight and good hearing. While Peccaries look similar to pigs, Peccaries are classified in a family of their own because of anatomical differences. They are members of the Tayassuidae Family while true pigs are members of the Suidae Family. Peccaries are more slender and 30-50 pounds smaller than pigs, have longer, thinner legs and smaller hooves.
Peccaries also have a powerful musk gland on the top of the rump.
Their odor is always apparent, especially when they are excited. You may smell a peccary before you see it. A mane of long, stiff hairs runs down the back from head to rump, where scent gland is located. The adult male Collared Peccary is 46 to 60 inches in length and is usually 20 to 24 inches in height. The adult male weighs between 40 and 60 pounds.