Social Relationships
The collared peccary, perhaps along with other peccary species, is unique among even-toed ungulates, in that both males and females coexist without conflict in herds (Byers and Bekoff, 1981). Also unusual is the lack of a clear dominance hierarchy, which results from the sexual monomorphism of the species, according to Byers and Bekoff, although this hypothesis is controversial; Sowls (1966, cited by Byers and Bekoff) and Bissonette (1976, cited by Byers and Bekoff) argue that the more dominant males take precedence over lesser ones when choosing a mate. The hypothesis that no dominance hiearchy, however, is supported by the fact that there are no secondary male sex characteristics that might contribute to the victory or defeat of a male peccary in a potential agonistic situation, which would be rare since male peccaries do not battle one another for females in estrus. (Sowls, 1974, cited by Byers and Bekoff, 1981).
Social Behavior
In terms of social encounters, collared peccaries are usually agreeable with each other, resultant not only of sexual monomorphism in the species but also of the similar amount of males and females in peccary social groups and small litters of offspring who are able to locomote and feed themselves shortly after birth (Byers and Bekoff, 1981). These encounters, although short, are punctuated by acts of “play, mutual rubbing, and olfactory investigation” (Byers and Bekoff, 1981). Despite occasional splits into subgroups (see “Group Size”), members of collared peccary herds stay together most of the time; this includes periods of eating, resting, and bedding (Schweinsburg, 1971). Foraging occurs mostly at nighttime, whereas during the day peccaries will rest in a shady location (Sowls, 1974, cited by Byers and Bekoff, 1981).
Olfactory Recognition
Collared peccaries must rely on their superior sense of smell to navigate around and understand their environment since they have such poor eyesight. They cannot discern a moving object from a distance of over 100 yards (Neal, 1959). Scent glands are a characteristic feature that compensate for this weakness. A collared peccary will rub the scent gland of another peccary that it has just encountered with the side of its lower jaw and head as a means of determining identification. Occasionally the peccary whose scent gland was rubbed repeats this behavior.
Cooperative BehaviorWhen a herd of peccaries is approached by a predator, the peccary that notices the threat may release a “huff” or “whoof” to warn others (Novak, 1999). It is also hypothesized that the scent gland is in usage here too. Additionally, there is an active effort to ensure the safety of all offspring, regardless of which peccary is a piglet’s mother. They do this by organizing the herd in such a manner that the young are behind the first or second adult in a line of retreating peccaries. More evidence exists that peccaries are not preferential in treatment of their young, as offspring have been observed suckling from several females in one instance (Byers and Bekoff, 1981). In terms of feeding, peccaries do not seem to mind other peccaries feeding in their immediate vicinity, which is sometimes as close as a head length away, or the same plant that is being eaten. This is most probably altruistic behavior, because there is no other explanation as to why one peccary does not drive the other away. (Byers and Bekoff, 1981).
This website was completed in partial fulfillment of the requirements for Biology 323, Animal Behavior, at Davidson College in the spring Semester 2008.
Site created by Chris Goldrick
