Catagonus wagneri (Chacoan Peccary) is the largest of the three living species of peccary. The species has been around for eight million years and can be only found in some specific countries of South America, which includes Paraguay, Bolivia, and Argentina. They live in the innermost parts of the forests, away from all sorts of human contact.
Although they have many similarities in looks with that of pigs, belonging to the family Tayassuidae and order Artiodactyla, they are not related to pigs in any way. They have bristle-like fur, that ranges from brown to grey; a tough, leathery snout; long ears; and a tail.
They also have scent glands on their back. A musky scent produced by the scent glands helps them to mark their territory and also to identify individuals.
Their reproduction cycle is hugely influenced by the availability of food and rainfall. Although litter can be seen all around the year, babies take birth between September and December.
Being omnivorous eaters, they consume both plants and animals as food. On one hand, they feed upon cacti, fallen cacti flowers, bromeliad roots, and acacia pods. On the other hand, they also consume small vertebrates. They even lick and eat mineral-rich soil from salt licks and leafcutter ant mounds, that are naturally produced.
Do you like to read about mysterious animals from all around the world? Then don't forget to read agouti facts and field vole facts.
Chacoan Peccary Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a Chacoan Peccary?
Chacoan Peccary (Catagonus wagneri) is a pig-like mammal, endemic to some countries of South America.
What class of animal does a Chacoan Peccary belong to?
Catagonus wagneri belongs to the class Mammalia of the animal kingdom.
How many Chacoan Peccaries are there in the world?
According to the IUCN Red List, the Chacoan Peccary is an Endangered species. There are only 3000 individuals of this species alive in the world. Their population is decreasing rapidly, and humans possess the majority of threats to their population. Along with fragmentation and habitat loss, hunting has almost made the species disappear from the face of the planet.
Where does a Chacoan Peccary live?
The Chacoan Peccary species is endemic to South America. Their presence is observed in only certain countries. They are mostly found in northern Argentina, Paraguay near southern Brazil, and south-eastern Bolivia.
What is a Chacoan Peccary's habitat?
The Gran Chaco region with high temperatures and low rainfall is amongst their most preferable habitat. They can also be found in the xerophytic thorn forest, with dense layers of scrub, cacti, bromeliads, and emergent trees.
Away from human vicinity, this Chacoan Peccary species lives in the wild. Due to their preference for impenetrable habitats, they have also been named pigs from green hell.
Who do Chacoan Peccaries live with?
Chacoan Peccaries live in herds. Males and females of all ages can be found in these herds. However, the herds are quite small in size, consisting of 2-20 individuals.
How long does a Chacoan Peccary live?
These wild animals have a lifespan of nine years in the wild.
How do they reproduce?
The breeding season for peccaries spans throughout the year. However, babies are born only between September and December.
Rather than associating the birth with the usual breeding season, they are mostly associated with food and rainfall. Females often leave the herd during this time and return after giving birth. Newborns are capable of running only after a few hours of taking birth.
What is their conservation status?
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the conservation status of the Chacoan Peccary (Catagonus wagneri) is Endangered. Their population is decreasing with each passing day.
Although they live in the innermost forests away from human contact, it is a common phenomenon for humans to hunt these animals for their meat even today. Needless to say that it has posed a major threat to the population of this species. Currently, there are only 3000 individuals present in the entire world.
Chacoan Peccary Fun Facts
What do Chacoan Peccaries look like?
Belonging to the family Tayassuidae and order Artiodactyla, Catagonus wagneri (Chacoan Peccary) is the largest peccary species, compared to the other two peccary species. As far as their physique is concerned, they look similar to pigs.
The Chacoan Peccary has a tough, leathery snout, and well-developed rostrum. The bristle-like fur ranges in colors from brown to grey, with a dark stripe running across the back. The shoulders are covered in white fur.
The species is distinguished from other species of peccary by its long ears, snout, and tail. Unlike other peccaries, it has white fur around its mouth.
How cute are they?
The species of Chacoan Peccaries cannot exactly be called cute. However, it is subjective and not unusual for some, to think that the younger members look quite cute, for that matter.
Also, do not forget that this wild species is really brave, which might appear as cute. Even when approached by gunmen, they firmly hold their ground, rather than running away.
How do they communicate?
Chacoan Peccaries mostly use vocalizations and scent to communicate with other individuals within the herd. The animals are pretty sociable.
How big is a Chacoan Peccary?
Chacoan Peccaries can grow up to 35.43-44 in (90-112 cm) long. They can grow 1.2 times bigger than the Collared Peccary, which is the smallest species within the Peccary species.
How fast can a Chacoan Peccary run?
The exact speed of the species is unknown. However, they are known for their fearless nature and not to run away in the face of danger.
How much does a Chacoan Peccary weigh?
The average weight of Chacoan Peccaries falls somewhere between 63.9-108 lb (29-49 kg).
What are the male and female names of the species?
The males and females of the species do not have specific names.
What would you call a baby Chacoan Peccary?
The younger ones are called reds.
What do they eat?
These pig-like animals can easily digest tough foods. This species of peccaries mostly feed upon cacti, fallen cacti flowers, bromeliad roots, acacia pods, and small vertebrates. These mammals use their snout to roll the cacti on the ground, or simply use their teeth to pull them off.
Salt licks are among the major source of minerals for peccaries. Thus, they eat and lick salt licks. They also eat the naturally produced ant mounds of leafcutter ants.
Are they poisonous?
Although the species is not poisonous, they can cause serious injuries and even fatal wounds to humans. Thus, it is advisable to maintain a safe distance from these wild mammals.
Would they make a good pet?
These wild animals, although sociable, do not like to be in contact with human beings. Also, they can cause serious injury to humans and other pets living in your house.
Thus, it is not advisable to keep this animal as a pet. Apart from that, their conservation status (Endangered), almost clarifies the fact that it would be a legal hazard to keep this species as a pet animal.
Did you know...
Before the 1970s, the species was thought to be extinct. It was re-discovered in the Chaco region of Argentina in 1971. It was first described based on fossils. They have a history of evolution that goes back eight million years.
Are peccaries related to pigs?
Given their similarity in looks, many may argue that the species might have some relation to pigs. However, in reality, they do not have any connection with pigs.
Why are Chacoan Peccaries endangered?
The main threat to the population of the Chacoan Peccary (Catagonus wagneri) species is caused by humans. People hunt them mostly for their meat.
Even to date, this practice has been going on. Apart from that, habitat loss and fragmentation due to land being used for cattle, has also cost them their lives. Precautionary measures need to be taken, otherwise, the species would likely become extinct.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these pine marten facts and guanaco facts.
You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our Chacoan Peccaries coloring pages.
