Collared peccary

Collared peccary

Scientific name: Pecari tajacu
In the wild: Not threatened
The Jerusalem Zoo: Breeding group
The Peccary is found in South, Central and North America, from Northern Argentina to South-Western USA, and inhabits diverse habitats, from rain forests to cacti deserts and even close to urban settlements. Peccary feed mostly on plant matter, such as bulbs, roots, fruit, fungi and nuts, but also some eggs, small animals and carrion. The social structure of the species is in groups of 5-15 individuals on average that consist of a dominant male, several adult females and several subordinate males. Occasionally, much larger groups, which number several dozen individuals, are observed. The peccary is not a pig! Despite the external resemblance, the peccaries belong to a separate family (Tayassuidae) and differ from pigs in the structure of their feet, the number of toes, structure of digestive system, the presence of a scent gland and the dental formula (number and type of teeth).

(Photo: Tamar Raviv)

Bird Lake:

Siamang Island:

Cheetah Exhibit:

Smal animal Buiding:

Black footed penguin:

Parrot Aviary:

Syrian brown bear Exhibit:

Asian lion Exhibit:

Red panda Exhibit:

Spider monkey Exhibit:

Squirrel monkey Exhibit:

Serval Exhibit:

Chimpanzee:

Mandril Exhibit:

Persian leopard Exhibit:

Birds of prey Aviary:

Tropical Aviary:

Asian elephant exhibit:

Wet Side Story:

Bible Land Preserve:

African Yard:

Australian Yard:

South American Yard: Yes

Howler monkey Exhibit:

Underground world Exhibit:

Children's zoo:

Lemur land Exhibit:

Sumatran tiger Exhibit:

Swamp Aviary:

Eurasean eagle owl Exhibit:

Red Panda Exhibit:

Amphibian Exhibit:

Giant Aldabra tortoise Exhibit:

Lesser kestrel Exhibit:

Eurasean otter Exhibit:

Penguin Exhibit:

Lory Aviary: