The snout of peccaries has the same mobile cartilaginous disk and terminal nostrils as pigs. A sagittal crest is present, the zygomatic arch is well developed, and an incomplete postorbital bar partially isolates the orbits. Also as in pigs, the median digits of the forefeet and hindfeet are the only functional ones (paraxonic). However, unlike pigs, the third and fourth metapodials are fused at the proximal end. Tayassu and Pecari have three digits on the hind feet; Catagonus has two. All three genera have a scent gland on the rump, which is used in social communication. The stomach has two or three chambers and is non- ruminating. It is more complex, however, than in that of suids.
The dental formula of the tayassuids is 2/3, 1/1, 3/3, 3/3 = 38 teeth. The upper canines grow into tusks that are smaller than those of the suids. They are directed downward, while those of suids tend to be directed laterally or even upwards. Like those of suids, peccary canines develop sharp cutting edges as a result of wear. The cheek teeth form a continuous series and increase in size toward the back of the jaws. The premolars are increasingly molariform toward the back. The molars are quadrate and bunodont.
Peccaries are gregarious animals; group size ranges from a few animals to several hundred depending on the species and on how heavily hunted they are. They forage during the day, feeding on a wide variety of plant and animal materials.
 Collared Peccary |
 Javeline |
 Classic Tayassuidae |
Family Suidae Family Tayassuidae Family Hippopotamidae Family Camelidae Family Tragulidae Family Giraffidae Family Moschidae Family Cervidae Family Antilocapridae Family Bovidae<<<<<<<>>>>>>> ARTIODACTYLA CARNIVORA CETACEA CHIROPTERA DASYUROMORPHIA DERMOPTERA DIDELPHIMORPHI DIPROTODONTIA HYRACOIDEA INSECTIVORA LAGOMORPHA MACROSCELIDEA MICROBIOTHERIA MONOTREMATA NOTORYCTEMORPHIA PAUCITUBERCULATA PERAMELEMORPHIA PERISSODACTYLA PHOLIDOTA PRIMATES PROBOSCIDEA RODENTIA SCANDENTIA SIRENIA TUBULIDENTATA XENARTHRA
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