The numerous and extraordinarily varied species of wild pigs of the
Old World are represented in America by the peccaries, a specialized
group containing two species of small pigs peculiar to North and South
America. One of the many differences between them and their Old World
relatives is their having but two young. The name muskhog, applied to
them, is based on their possession of a large gland, located high up
on the middle of the rump, which emits a powerful odor. The musky odor
from this quickly permeates the flesh of a peccary unless it is cut out
as soon as the animal is killed.
The collared peccary is the smaller of the two species, usually
weighing less than 75 pounds. It ranges from the southwestern United
States south to Patagonia. Within this range numerous geographic races
have developed, varying from light grizzled gray to nearly black. It
formerly occurred within our border north to the Red River of Arkansas,
but is now limited to the southern half of Texas and the southern parts
of New Mexico and Arizona.
In tropical America collared peccaries are found in dense forests or
in low jungles, but in northern Mexico and the southwestern United
States they are equally at home among scattered thickets of cactus and
other thorny plants on plains and in the foothills. They are strictly
gregarious and live in bands of from a few individuals up to thirty
or more, usually led by the oldest and most powerful boar. They are
omnivorous, feeding on everything edible, from roots, fruits, nuts, and
other vegetable products to reptiles and any other available animals.
They are specially numerous in many tropical forests where wild figs,
nut palms, and other fruit-bearing trees provide abundant food. In the
arid northern part of their range dense thickets of cactus and mesquite
afford both food and shelter. Their presence in a locality is often
indicated by the rooted-up soil where they have been feeding.
Young peccaries become very tame and make most intelligent and amusing
pets. One moonlight night on the coast of Guerrero two of us, after
a bath in the sea by a small Indian village, strolled along the hard
white sand to enjoy the cool breeze. Suddenly a little peccary, not
weighing over eight or ten pounds, came running to meet us and, after
stopping at our feet to have its head scratched, suddenly circled about
us, away and back again in whirling zigzags, with all the joyous frenzy
of a playful puppy. Continuing this performance, it accompanied us for
several hundred yards, until we returned to the village.
Tales of the ferocity of bands of the collared peccaries and of their
treeing hunters who have disturbed them read well to the novice, but
have little foundation in fact. In reality the animals are shy and
retiring and fight only when forced to do so for self-protection. When
brought to bay by dogs or other animals, they fight viciously, and
with their sharp, knife-edged tusks can inflict serious wounds. Their
natural enemies are mainly the jaguar in the south and bobcats and
coyotes, which prey upon their young, in the north.
The increasing occupation of our Southwest has already resulted in the
extermination of peccaries from most of their former range within our
border, and unless active steps are taken to protect the survivors
their days will be few in the land. They are such unique and harmless
animals that it is hoped interest in their behalf may be awakened in
time to retain them as a part of our wild life.
=ROCKY MOUNTAIN SHEEP= (=Ovis canadensis= and its relatives)
Wild sheep inhabit mountain ranges in both Old and New Worlds. Northern
Africa and southern Europe have representative species, but Asia
appears to be the true home of the group. There the greatest variety of
species is found, including such giants as _Ovis poli_.
In the New World they occur only in North America, where there are
two or three species, with numerous geographic races. Among these the
sheep inhabiting the main Rocky Mountain region is best known. It is
a heavier animal than its northern relatives of the Stikine country
and Alaska, with larger and more massively proportioned horns. It
occupies the main range from south of Peace River and Lake Babine,
in British Columbia, to Colorado, and possibly northern New Mexico.
Closely related geographic races occur elsewhere in the mountains of
the western United States and northern Mexico.
The usual conception of wild sheep as habitants of the cold, clear
upper world at timberline and above is justified in the case of
the Rocky Mountain sheep. In early spring its one or two young are
born amid these rugged elevations, where it remains until the heavy
winter snows drive it down, sometimes through the open timber to the
foothills. That wild sheep thrive equally well under very different
conditions, however, is shown by their abundance on the treeless
mountains of our southwestern deserts, among cactuses, yuccas, and
other thorny vegetation, where water is extremely scarce and summer
temperatures rise high above 100° Fahrenheit in the shade.
The Rocky Mountain sheep, like other species, appears to feed on nearly
every plant growing within its domain. In spring many lambs are killed
by bald and golden eagles, and in winter, when driven down to lower
levels by snow, it becomes easy prey for mountain lions, wolves, and
coyotes. Owing to continuous hunting, this sheep has disappeared from
many of its former haunts and is decreasing in most of its range. When
effective protection is undertaken in time, however, as in Colorado,
the range is readily restocked.
The sure-footedness with which a band of these sheep will dash in
full flight up or down seemingly impossible slopes, where a misstep
would mean death, is amazing. Even the old rams, with massive sets of
horns, bound from point to point up a steep rock slope with marvelous
grace and agility. Mountain sheep living among the rugged summits of
high ranges possess the courage and prowess of skillful mountaineers,
so admired by all, and the mere sight of one of these animals in its
native haunts is an adventure achieved by few.
No other big-game animal carries with it the romantic glamour which
surrounds this habitant of the cold, clear upper world. Big-game
hunters prize above all others their mountain-sheep trophies, which
form vivid reminders of glorious days amid the most inspiring
surroundings and evidence their supreme prowess in the chase.