Javelina Skull 001104
by Renny Spencer
Title
Javelina Skull 001104
Artist
Renny Spencer
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
A west Texas javelina skull lies on the mountain forest floor.
Javelina aka collared peccary thrives in the microclimate of the Davis Mountains of west Texas. Many call them pigs but they are actually not kin at all. Trees, cactus, rocks, and grass make for a unique area in the middle of the Chihuahuan Desert. The Davis Mountains host a wide variety of flora and fauna. Located near Fort Davis, Marfa, McDonald Observatory, and the Hobby Eberly Telescope there is much to see and do in the area.
https://tpwd.texas.gov/landwater/land/habitats/trans_pecos/big_game/javelina/
"Javelina are members of the peccary family. There are actually three species of peccaries that range from the Southwestern United States south to central South America. The only species found in the United States is the collared peccary, or javelina. In Texas, the javelina is found in the more arid or semi-arid parts of the state, with most occurring in the South Texas brush country, the Trans-Pecos' desert grasslands, and the Edwards Plateau's oak-juniper woodlands.
Javelina travel in small herds or "family groups" and seem to have a somewhat limited home range. In the winter, they are generally active in the early morning and late afternoon. Javelina are largely nocturnal during the hotter times of the year. They feed primarily on cacti (particularly prickly pear), mesquite beans, lechuguilla, sotol, mast, fruits, and insects.
Javelina have long held an undeserved reputation for ferocity. They have poor eyesight and will often remain around humans longer than other wildlife when startled. When cornered, they can defend themselves very effectively with sharp canine teeth or "tusks". Many dogs have been crippled or killed when trying to attack javelina. Yet aggressive encounters with humans are very, very rare. , javelina can be very troublesome to landowners when they become habituated to homes and human activities. They often sleep in caves, and cave like areas, and seem to find the crawl spaces under homes attractive. They may cause significant damage to yards and sprinkler systems because of their habit of rooting for food."
---Renny Spencer
https://rennyspencerphotography.com
Uploaded
April 6th, 2021
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