File:White-lipped peccary standing in shadows - DPLA - 8ca40da001050fcdd356a3897dce63a9.jpg

35 mm slide; color. Scientific Classification: Kingdom: Animalia; Phylum: Chordata; Class: Mammalia; Order: Artiodactyla; Family: Tayassuidae; Genus: Tayassu; Genus species: Tayassu pecari. Animal characteristics: Head-Body Length: 75-100 cm; Height: 44-57.5 cm; Weight: 14-30 kg; Identification: The white-lipped peccary is dark brown to black in color. The back of the neck and flanks are black. The lower jaw is white. The large canines of the peccary form a lump under the lip, and coarse hair covers most of the body; Habitat: Desert scrub, arid woodlands, rainforests; Diet: Omnivore: fruit, leaves, roots, seeds, mushrooms, worms, insects, small vertebrates; Reproduction: White-lipped peccaries mate throughout the year. After a gestation period of 156-162 days, the female gives birth to 1-4 young, with twins being most common; Social Structure: Peccaries are usually found in mixed, nomadic herds of 5-200 animals. Females are dominant; Behavior: Most activity occurs at night; Status: No special status; Interesting Facts: White-collared peccaries form the largest groups of any South American terrestrial mammal. It is speculated that large groups are formed for a mutual defense system.