The collared peccary, commonly known as the javelina, is frequently encountered in the Southwest United States, Mexico, and Central America. These animals, which look similar to but are not actual pigs, often inhabit suburban areas near natural washes and desert landscapes. Understanding how to react during a direct encounter and how to manage your property ensures safe coexistence. Javelinas are wild animals that should be respected and observed from a distance.
Immediate Action During a Sighting
The most important step upon sighting a javelina is to maintain a safe and non-threatening distance, ideally a minimum of 50 feet. Never attempt to approach, corner, or feed the animals, as this habituates them to human presence and can lead to defensive reactions. If the animal seems unaware of your presence, it is best to quietly and slowly back away to allow it to move through the area undisturbed.
If a javelina or a herd begins to approach you, encourage them to leave by making yourself appear larger and creating loud, abrupt noise. Yelling, clapping your hands, stomping your feet, or banging objects together typically startles the animal into retreating. You can also spray them with a garden hose or throw small objects like pebbles near their feet without causing injury. Always ensure the animal has a clear escape route, as a cornered javelina is much more likely to defend itself aggressively.
If you are walking a pet, especially a dog, the encounter is more serious, as javelinas perceive canines as a natural predator. If you see a javelina, immediately secure the pet on a short leash and quickly change direction to exit the area. If the javelina is close and showing signs of aggression, such as teeth clacking or bristling its mane, immediately pick up your small dog. Javelinas are highly territorial and will charge a perceived threat, and their sharp canine teeth can inflict severe wounds on a pet.
Understanding Javelina Behavior and Threats
Javelinas are social animals that live in multigenerational herds, or squadrons, which typically number between 7 and 13 individuals, though much larger groups have been recorded. These groups rely on a strong sense of smell and sound to navigate and communicate, as their eyesight is relatively poor. This limited vision is why a startled javelina may appear to be charging a person when it is simply fleeing in a random direction.
The herd maintains a collective identity through scent marking, using a gland located near the rump that emits a musky odor. This reliance on scent explains why human food sources and garbage are so attractive to them. While they are not predators, they are equipped with sharp, downward-pointing canine teeth, which they use primarily for defense and for shredding tough vegetation like cactus pads.
Defensive behavior is most likely to occur when the animals are protecting their young, which are called “reds” due to their reddish-brown coat. It is also triggered when they feel trapped or when they detect a dog, which they instinctively view as a threat from a natural predator like a coyote. Giving them space and an easy path away is key to managing a safe encounter, as their aggression is defensive, not predatory.
Keeping Javelinas Off Your Property
Removing common attractants is the primary long-term management strategy for keeping javelinas out of residential yards. Because they have an exceptional sense of smell, all outdoor food sources must be eliminated, including fallen fruit and unsecured pet food. Spilled birdseed is also a significant attractant and should be cleaned up immediately, or the feeder should be removed entirely.
Garbage cans should be secured with tight-fitting, locking lids or stored inside a secure shed or garage until the morning of collection. The animals are also attracted to water sources, so it is helpful to ensure that pools, ponds, or other standing water are not easily accessible. When dealing with landscaping, javelinas often root in soft soil to search for tubers and bulbs, which can be deterred by burying wire mesh 8 to 12 inches deep along garden borders.
For physical exclusion, a low-voltage electric fence is often the most effective barrier. Place one strand approximately 8 to 10 inches off the ground, a height that targets their sensitive noses. Alternatively, strategically plant species with strong scents that javelinas dislike, such as rosemary or lavender, near areas you wish to protect.