Northern white-lipped peccary

The **northern white-lipped peccary** (*Tayassu texum*) is a species of peccary that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the rainforests, wetlands, forests, open woodlands, grasslands, shrublands, and scrublands across North America to help boost biodiversity. The closest living relative of the northern white-lipped peccary is the similarly-looking southern white-lipped peccary (*Tayassu pecari*). The northern white-lipped peccary lives to be around 13 years old and can give birth to between three and five young at a time. The head and body length ranges from 90–139 centimeters (35–55 inches), the shoulder height is between 40 and 60 centimeters (16 and 24 inches), the tail length is from 3–6 centimeters (1.2–2.4 inches), and the adult weight is 25–40 kilograms (55–88 lb). Their color is generally brown or black. The coat is bristly and has hairs running lengthways down the spine growing longer than the hairs running down the body, making a crest, which rises when the peccary becomes excited. The northern white-lipped peccary has a round body with a long snout that ends in a circular disk where the nasal cavity starts. It has white markings that start below the snout and run to the cheek area just below the eyes. Northern white-lipped peccaries are omnivores feeding on fruits, nuts, vegetation, and small amounts of animal matter. The northern white-lipped peccary is a diurnal feeder, and it performs most of its activities during the day, more specifically in the mornings and afternoons. It can spend up to two-thirds of its day traveling and feeding. Herds can number 20–300, including both males and females; some reports have described herds reaching 2,000 peccaries. The sex ratio within herds is about 1.4–1.8 females per male. The range lands of peccaries are massive due to the large number of individuals within the herd. Often, northern white-lipped peccaries can be smelled before seen because they give off a skunk-like odor. Northern white-lipped peccaries have a scent gland on their backs, which emits a scent, allowing a strong bond between members of the herd. They are a good indicator of the health of a forest and wetland habitats, because they live in such large herds and in large areas. They are known to be aggressive when cornered or feel threatened. They maintain contact with the herd by making a low moaning sound and will alert or intimidate others by proclaiming a loud “bark” and show their teeth in an attempt to avoid conflict. When these animals roam in their range land, they can be very loud, clattering their teeth and grunting to one another to communicate and stay within the herd. They communicate with olfactory, acoustic, and physical contact to keep together in the herd. This is essential when warding off predators such as the jaguar, the cougar, the gray wolf, and the black bear, because it may not attack when 200 peccaries are in a herd. The conservation status of the northern white-lipped peccary is **Least Concern** due to successful conservation efforts, the northern white-lipped peccary's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.