Tuscon Sonora Desert Museum. Collared Peccary is the only wild, native, pig-like animal found in the United States. They are called Javelina because of their razor-sharp tusks, Spanish for javelin or spear. Peccaries usually travel in a band of from 6 to 12 although as many as 50 have been seen together. They are most active during early morning and evening when it is cooler. Members eat, sleep, and forage together. The exceptions are the old and infirm, who prefer to die in solitude. Herds have a characteristic linear dominance hierarchy, wherein a male is always dominant and the remainder of the order is largely determined by size. In South and Central America, the Collared Peccary inhabits tropical rainforests. In the southern United States, herds occur in Saguaro deserts, where they prefer mesquite habitats with an abundance of prickly pear cacti.They also occur in semi-desert canyons, cliffs and watering holes near cacti, chaparral and oak . Collared Peccaries have for decades been a source of economic income due to their skins and as hunting trophies. They are among the most important big game species in Arizona. The young are often captured and serve as domestic farm animals. Peccaries are not dangerous when left alone but an entire band can attack if one is wounded or pursued. Speedy and agile, they can drive off dogs, Coyotes and Bobcats. Like bears and other mammals, they lose fear of humans when fed by humans. Will rummage around campsites like raccoons and are becoming an urban menace.