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3 October 2022
Also known as a peccary or ‘skunk pig,’ the Arizonan Javelina inhabits the outskirts of Phoenix, most of Tucson, and sometimes as far north as Flagstaff. Javelinas are most active at night but may also be active during the day when it is cold.
The javelina is an omnivore that eats insects, grubs, and small animals, although they prefer roots, grasses, seeds, fruits, and cacti, mainly the prickly pear. Besides crushing hard seeds and cutting plant roots, javelinas use their jaws and tusks to defend themselves against predators.
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You may see javelina occasionally if you live in a semi-urban area near a wash or other natural desert. Javelina can surprise people while forging around homes, eating plants, and causing minor home or landscaping problems. If you ever cross paths with a Javelina, you mustn’t feed them. If they become familiar with people and lose their fear of them, they could cause problems for the neighborhood, often resulting in their death.
It is not uncommon for javelinas to bite humans, but incidents of bites are almost always caused by people providing them with food. In addition, javelina may display defensive behavior by charging, clacking their teeth, or barking and growling. When cornered, protecting their young, or when they smell or hear dogs, javelina may act defensively and inflict a severe injury to you or your pets.
Natural predators of javelina include dogs and coyotes, and they can cause severe injury or death to each other. Javelina around your home may also attract mountain lions who hunt the javelina.
If you live in areas where javelina roams, most often those who live near mountainous regions, be careful with your Halloween decorations. More specifically, your pumpkins. Javelina love eating pumpkins, and it’s hard for them to resist freshly carved jack-o-lantern placed on the ground where they can easily reach. Therefore, it’s best to keep your Halloween pumpkins high and out of reach of scavenging javelinas to prevent any potentially dangerous encounters.
Do your best to keep javelina healthy and wild if they become a problem or have caused property damage. Removal almost always means death for javelina. To discourage javelina, act immediately.
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Please get in touch with your local Arizona Game and Fish Department regional office if a javelina is acting aggressively towards people, cannot escape on its own, cannot be released quickly, or is in human possession.
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