white-lipped peccary
Quick Summary
The white-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari) is a species of peccary, a pig-like mammal native to Central and South America. It is larger and darker than the collared peccary, typically weighing between 25–40 kg (55–88 pounds). This species is distinguished by the white coloration around its mouth, which gives it its name.1
Peccaries, in general, are New World counterparts to pigs and possess a scent gland on their back that emits a strong musky odor. They are omnivorous, feeding on plants, small animals, and carrion. White-lipped peccaries are known to live in large herds, sometimes numbering from 50 to over 300 individuals, and are particularly vulnerable to habitat destruction.1
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