Watch This Unexpected Guest Pay a Quick Visit to a Tucson Neighborhood

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Written by Trina Julian Edwards

Published: January 22, 2025

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javelina
Dennis W Donohue/Shutterstock.com

Most of us would be astounded to see a javelina race full speed through our neighborhood. However, in the Southwest, javelinas are occasional household visitors. They have been known to knock over trash cans or raid residential gardens in search of a snack.

In the video above, this hasty javelina barreled past apartments and effortlessly jumped over sidewalks on its dash through the Tucson neighborhood. While it’s unclear from the video why the animal was in such a hurry, it looked like it knew exactly where to go. Read on to find out more about javelinas, and learn how humans and javelinas coexist in the Southwest.

What Is a Javelina?

Although javelinas look similar to pigs or boars, they are not in the same family. Javelinas are in the peccary family, hooved mammals originating in South America. Javelinas are known as collared peccary because of the band of white fur around their necks. There are four types of peccaries in the Americas, but the collared peccary is the only species living in Arizona.

Javelinas live in herds of around 12 animals. They average between 18-24 inches tall and 32-36 inches long. An adult javelina weighs somewhere between 40-60 pounds. Their main diet consists of fruit, nuts, roots, flowers, and desert plants. Javelinas are especially fond of pumpkins, so your Halloween jack-o’lantern is in danger of being eaten if left outdoors.

Javelina Habitats

In the U.S., javelinas can be found in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. According to the Arizona Game and Fish Department, javelinas are common throughout central and southern Arizona. This includes the outskirts of Phoenix, most of Tucson, and even sometimes as far north as Flagstaff. They prefer desert-type ecosystems, so javelinas are frequent visitors to neighborhoods near desert washes.

Javelinas are usually not a danger to humans or pets. They tend to run when startled, although they can become aggressive when cornered. Their rough salt-and-pepper fur bristles if the animal feels threatened. Although a javelina may appear to be charging, it’s likely just trying to escape. To discourage javelinas, scare them off with loud noises. If you’re out with your dog, do not go near the animal, and quickly take your dog in the opposite direction.

Following Their Noses

Javelinas have poor eyesight but they have a keen sense of smell. Their sensitive pink snouts help them locate food, recognize herd mates, and detect predators. They have scent glands above their tails that emit a powerful, musky odor. They rub their scent glands on each other to mix the individual scents into a herd scent. Since they cannot rely on their eyesight, the communal odor helps the animals stick together. Javelinas also use these glands to mark territory. It’s so strong that humans can even tell a javelina has been in the area by the persistent stench.

How Fast Are Javelinas?

Javelinas are surprisingly nimble animals, able to sprint as fast as 35mph. The javelina in our video was likely startled into bolting. However, despite its poor eyesight, it had no problems navigating the area. This suggests the animal was either in familiar territory or following the scent to catch up with its herd.


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About the Author

Trina Julian Edwards

Trina is a former instructional designer and curriculum writer turned author and editor. An avid reader and a relentless researcher, no rabbit hole is too deep in her quest for information. The Edwards Family are well-known animal lovers with a reputation as the neighborhood kitten wranglers and cat rescuers. When she is not writing about, or rescuing, animals, Trina can be found watching otter videos on social media or ruining her hearing listening to extreme metal.

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