Day 73: Collared Peccaries

Collared Peccaries use secretions from the rump gland to mark their territory. They also go by the name javelina or musk hog. There are three javelina's at the OC Zoo named Tom, Jerry, and Jeremiah. They often help each other scratch and itch and they will sometimes lay down next to each other when they sleep. Zookeepers give them items like small barrels or tubes with treats and the javelinas will use their nose to roll it around to get what's inside. Zookeepers will also give them pumpkins for them to smash apart to play with. They can be found in southwestern United States to Northern Argentina. They live in herd of 14-50 members and they are very territorial. Javelinas are omnivores and will eat roots seed, fruit, insects and cacti. They use their tusks to cut through roots and they use their strong jaws to crush though seeds.