Peccaries (also called javelinas) live in the deserts of southwestern United States. They are also given the name collared peccary because of a white band around their chests with the rest of their body being a dark gray. They look much like pigs, but peccaries are smaller, about three feet long, and weigh only 30 to 60 pounds. Like pigs they grunt and have big heads, short necks, tough round snouts, sharp canine teeth and stubby tails. Pigs have both bristles and hair; peccaries have coarse bristles only. Their feet are also different from pigs'. The Creator gave peccaries feet suitable for fast running and clinging to rocks.
Another difference: pigs have large litters of babies (shoats) which keep the sows busy for a long time. But only two peccary shoats, about the size of cottontail rabbits, are born at a time. Within two days the mother takes them to join the herd, which spends most of its time feeding on acorns, parts of cactus plants, seeds, insects and occasionally for a special treat, a lizard or rattlesnake.
Peccary herds stay close together, and the little ones get lots of attention. When one of them is hungry any sow will allow it to come and nurse. Adults also let the shoats jump over them, push them aside, and even steal food from them.
Peccaries live an unhurried life and in warm weather indulge in afternoon siestas in beds prepared beforehand. These are in areas of soft dirt which have been routed out with their tough snouts, leaving hollows into which they snuggle for long naps. At night they have similar sleeping places, but in a separate area. Before the siesta there is often a play period in which the shoats chase each other around or have make-believe battles, rushing at and leaping over one another.
Each company is identified by its own musky smell, so if a stranger finds its way into their territory it is quickly discovered and chased out. But they prefer to live peaceably and are not vicious unless cornered. Normally they run away when a human gets close to them, as may happen because of their poor eyesight.
These animals are another example of how the Lord God has populated the earth with living things of all kinds. He delights in His creation, caring for all of them as the Bible says: “The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.” Psa. 33:55He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. (Psalm 33:5).
However, the Lord Jesus did not die on the cross to provide everlasting life for animals. In His great love He died on the cross for all persons who will put their trust in Him. If you have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, you can say, “O Lord, Thou art my God; I will exalt Thee, I will praise Thy name; for Thou hast done wonderful things.” Isa. 25:11O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. (Isaiah 25:1).
ML-07/08/1984