Javelinas have large heads with round, flattened pig-like snouts, long, slender legs, and a salt and pepper color coat. Their sharp, straight tusk point downward, unlike wild pigs' tusk which are more visible. Standing between 12 to 16 inches at the shoulder, javelina reach approximately 30 inches longs, and weigh between 35 to 55 pounds. Javelina live in brushy desert regions in the southern parts of the United States and Arizona, New Mexico to Texas, and reach as far south as North Argentina.
Peccaries are omnivorous but prefer roots, fruit and seeds or in desert areas, cacti.
Javelina also eat insects and other small invertebrates. They survive on moisture from succulent vegetation most of the year. Because of poor eyesight, javelina locate food with their sensitive snouts, digging up roots and rooting with their sharp tusks. These animals possess unusual digestive systems consisting of voluminous gastric pouches, two blind sacs and glandular stomach which allow them to digest a high cellulose diet. Males, females and young socialize together.