Are Peccaries Mammals in North America? Yes — Collared Peccary Only

Yes. Peccaries (family Tayassuidae) are mammals native to the Americas. In North America (north of Mexico), only one species occurs naturally:

• Collared Peccary (Pecari tajacu) — also called javelina or musk hog.

Range in North America

• USA: Southern Texas, southern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico.
• Mexico: Widespread (northern/central).

Other Peccary Species (Central/South America)

• White-lipped Peccary (Tayassu pecari) — Mexico to Argentina.
• Chacoan Peccary (Catagonus wagneri) — Gran Chaco (Paraguay, Bolivia, Argentina).
• Giant Peccary (Pecari maximus) — Brazilian Amazon (described 2007).

Key Traits

• Not pigs (Suidae) — separate family (Tayassuidae) diverged ~30 Mya.
• Scent gland on back (strong musk).
• Social herds (collared: 5–20; white-lipped: 100+).
• Omnivorous: roots, tubers, cacti, invertebrates, small vertebrates.

Collared peccaries are game animals in TX/AZ; also urban adapters (Tucson, San Antonio suburbs).