Lauray Yule

Javelinas are peccaries, with a range that extends from northern South America through Mexico and into the southwestern US. Readers curious about these extraordinary animals will learn from this small, well- illustrated book -- suitable as a stocking-stuffer at Xmas or strategically placed on the coffee table for browsing. Even the most staid of guests will be enchanted by the cover photo of the cute little pink-nosed pigling (for that's what the little ones are called).

As one learns from this book, peccaries diverged from the pig family 38 million years ago, and can be distinguished from the latter by their short tails, short rounded ears, three toes on the hind feet, a chambered stomach, and scent glands. Javelinas are of South American origin, and according to author Lauray Yule, were first reported from the southern US in the 1700s. Javelinas are quite impressive animals -- the adults are 40 to 50 pound critters with razor sharp canines; they can run at 25 mph and (if the book is to be believed) can cover nine feet at a single bound.

This informative little book covers javelina natural history, eating habits, reproduction, and social behavior, and considers their competitors, predators, and interactions with humans. Every other page or so has fine color photos, and references are offered for further reading. The Look West series also offers books on coyotes, roadrunners, quail, and the Navaho peoples.… (mere)

Just found this one at the library and the cute little pink nose on the cover convinced me that I had to take this one home. Full of photos of the collard peccary, to give them their official name. Some facts I didn't know, like that they turn colors in winter, with their coat fading light like some rabbits do. I also learned that the young are called piglings and weigh about 1 pound when born. And a reminder, in case anyone needed one, that while these critters are very appealing, they do not make good pets.… (mere)