Understanding the differences between javelinas and feral hogs

By: Josh Helcel, Extension Associate

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

(Image courtesy of Dave Welling)

As Texans continue the tall task of reducing expanding populations of invasive and destructive feral hogs (Sus scrofa), there is one animal out there that is increasingly caught in the crossfire.  Often referred to as a “javelina hog,” the collared peccary (Pecari tajacu), or javelina, is not a hog at all. Though javelinas do indeed look similar to a feral hogs, they are actually a native species classified as a game animal in the state of Texas. This means that the laws are completely different regarding javelinas and feral hogs. It also means that there is no such thing as a javelina hog! This article will discuss many of the differences between javelinas and feral hogs, and will also highlight laws and regulations concerning both species.  Remember, it is your responsibility to fully understand the law, so do your homework.

  

Feral hogs are bad, javelinas have a place in Texas…

Feral hogs threaten agricultural production, water quality, habitat, and native species in the state of Texas. Much of the threat posed by feral hogs is due to their high reproductive capacity, omnivorous diet, invasive nature, and basic biology. For example, feral hogs lack sweat glands and must maintain their body temperature by wallowing and occupying shaded areas often associated with riparian habitat. Consistent activity by large populations of feral hogs in and around riparian ecosystems can lead to significant watershed impairment. Wallowing and rooting behavior in these areas also leads to loss of riparian vegetation, increases in invasive plant species, and decreases in large seeded natives such as oaks and hickories (Siemann, et al. 2009, Timmons et al. 2012). Feral hogs are also capable of transmitting a number of diseases to both livestock and humans. When you add to that the over $52 million dollars in agricultural damages that feral hogs cause annually in Texas, it is no wonder why most people do not want feral hogs.

While feral hogs (above) are known to eat the eggs of ground nesting birds such as Bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus), there is no evidence that this occurs with javelina (below, bottom image courtesy of Dave Welling)

And then there is the javelina. Though considered omnivorous, javelinas are primarily herbivorous animals and are known for consuming prickly pear cactus (Opuntia engelmannii; Taylor and Synatzske 2008). Perhaps most importantly, javelinas do not reproduce anywhere near as quickly as feral hogs. Research has shown that feral hog populations would need to be reduced by 66% annually just to keep populations from growing (Timmons et al. 2012). Research conducted on javelina populations suggests that a harvest level of 65% or greater would prevent a population from being able to recover (Green et al. 1985). Another study suggests that javelina populations can only withstand a 15 – 30% total annual reduction in Texas (Ellisor and Harwell 1979). Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) classifies the javelina as a game animal, and their populations are protected through bag limits set at 2 per year.       

Difference	Feral Hogs	Javelina
Litters Per Year (average)	1.5	1
Offspring Per Litter	4 – 6+	1 – 2
Sweat Glands	Absent	Present
Tail	Long, Visible	Short, Not Visible
Hind Feet	2 Dewclaws	Fused Dewclaw
Gall Bladder	Present	Absent
Stomach	Simple, Monogastric	Complex
Adult Teeth	44, Curved Upper and Lower Canines	38, Straight Upper and Lower Canines
Native to North America	No	Yes
Game Animal in Texas	No	Yes
Sexual Dimorphism	Present	Absent
Adult Average Size	175 lbs. (F) 200lbs (M)	40 – 60 lbs.
Sexual Maturity	6 - 10 Months (F)	12-15 Months (F)

Table 1.– Differences between feral hogs and javelinas

Javelina have a single fused dew claw on each back leg (left), while all swine including feral hogs (right) have two dew claws on each back leg (Images credit www.myoutdoorbuddy.com) 



Texas laws & regulations regarding feral hogs and javelinas

The main difference in laws and regulations in Texas regarding feral hogs and javelinas is that javelinas are classified as a game animal and feral hogs are classified as an exotic free-ranging livestock. In the northern zone, 43 Texas counties have a designated javelina season from October 1^st – February 22^nd in which no more than 2 may be harvested in one year. In the southern zone, 50 Texas counties have a year round season, however no more than 2 javelina may be harvested in the season year which lasts from September 1^st – August 31^st. The remaining 161 counties in Texas do not have a javelina season, meaning no javelina may be harvested at any time within these counties. Please see the TPWD Outdoor Annual for more information and the hunting laws and regulations specific to your county.

Yes, you need a valid Texas hunting license to harvest javelina. But unlike other game species such as white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), javelina do not have to be tagged in Texas. However, like all Texas big game animals, failure to make a reasonable effort to recover a javelina or to use the edible portions of a harvested animal is considered wanton waste. The penalty can include a sizable fine and even jail time depending on the severity of the offense. Also, no big game animal including javelina may be hunted at night or with the aid of artificial light. Javelina may only be harvested from 30 minutes before the legal sunrise to 30 minutes after the legal sunset and only during the specified season as delineated by county.

Figure 1.- Useable portions of big game animals as specified by TPWD include the backstraps, forequarters, and hindquarters (Image credit https://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/.../outdoorannual_2013_14.pdf)

Feral hog laws and regulations are significantly more lenient. There is no season. There is no bag limit. Feral hogs may be hunted at night and with the aid of artificial light. Silencers are legal with proper permitting. Night vision is legal as well. If you plan on pursuing feral hogs at night, TPWD requests that a courtesy call be made to your local game warden. Feral hogs may also be hunted from vehicles but only on private lands and from private roadways. Yes, you do need a valid Texas hunting license to harvest feral hogs if you are hunting or trapping them. However, if you are a landowner or an agent of a landowner controlling populations because of damages caused by feral hogs, then you do not need a license. Again, please contact your local game warden or consult the TPWD Outdoor Annual for the most accurate and up to date laws and regulations.

Other myths involving feral hogs and javelina

Myth 1: Javelinas are feral hogs, or in the feral hog/pig family

Myth 2: Javelinas are rats, or in the rat family

Myth 3: Javelinas are hippos, or in the hippo family

Javelinas are not feral hogs, and they are not related to any rodent. Javelinas belong to the order Artiodactyla, and all rodents belong to the order Rodentia. Also, within the order Artiodactyla is the suborder Suiformes which contains three separate families: Hippopotamidae (hippopotamuses), Tayassuidae (peccaries), and Suidae (pigs). 

Hippopotamuses are distantly related by suborder to javelinas, and do share certain characteristics such as a specialized digestive tract, little or no sexual dimorphism, and straight canines (Pickford 1986; Herring 1975). However, some studies suggest that hippos and whales may be more closely related than hippos and javelinas (Gatesy 1997). To make this simple, javelinas are not in the same family as feral hogs and they are not in the same family as hippos.

Myth 4: Feral hogs are not good to eat  

As is the case with any wild game, how the animal is processed and prepared is paramount. Prepared correctly, feral hogs make outstanding table fare provided they are cooked to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, many people prefer to eat smaller feral hogs in the 40 – 80 pound range and adult sows instead of the larger, older, and generally more “gamey” mature boars.   

Myth 5: Javelinas are not good to eat 

Not only is this false, the meat of this animal must be utilized. Javelinas are small animals, rarely exceeding 60 pounds, and they have lean meat which can be prepared in a variety of ways. Javelinas have a gland on their lower back which can have a pungent odor. This gland is removed in the skinning process.  Some people may equate the odor to the flavor of the meat, but they are mistaken.

Javelina will access available water but do not need to wallow in order to maintain their body temperature. Unlike feral hogs, they can sweat (Image courtesy of Dave Welling)  

Conclusion

Feral hog abatement is necessary in order to reduce agricultural damage and the threat posed to water quality, native species, livestock, and even human health. It is important understand that native and relatively harmless javelina only resembles feral hogs.  They are not destructive like invasive exotic feral hogs. As humans and wildlife continue to encroach upon each other, inevitably there will be more interactions between all wildlife including feral hogs and javelinas. Understanding the wildlife around you is an important step towards the responsible conservation of our natural resources.

The hyper-linked resource document below will provide you with quick access to many of our online feral hog resources including publications, fact sheets and videos.

Feral Hog Resources- Texas A&M AgriLifeExtension by Jim Cathey

For free educational programming or technical assistance with feral hogs please contact us:

Mark Tyson, South and Southeast Texas, 979-845-4698, mark.tyson@ag.tamu.edu

Josh Helcel, Central and North Central Texas, 254-248-0532, josh.helcel@ag.tamu.edu

                                                                                                   

Our services are provided free of charge through a Clean Water Act 319(h) non-point source grant from the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Literature Cited

Ellisor, J. E. and W.F. Harwell. 1979. Ecology and management of javelina in south Texas. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Fed. Aid Rep. Ser. 16. 25pp.

Gatesy, J. 1997. More DNA support for a Cetacea/Hippopotamidae clade: the blood-clotting protein gene gamma-fibrinogen. Molecular Biology and Evolution. 14 (5): 537–543.

Green, G.E., W.E. Grant, and E. Davis. 1985. Effects of Hunting on Javelina in South Texas. The Wildlife Society Bulletin. 13 (2): 149-153

Herring, S. W. 1975. Adaptations for gape in the hippopotamus and its relatives. Fonna.

Functio 8: 85-100.

Pickford, M.  1986. A revision of the Miocene Suidae and Tayassuidae (Artiodactyla,

Mammalia) of Africa Tertiary Research 7: 1-83

Siemann, E., J.A. Carrillo, C. A. Gabler, R. Zipp, W.E. Rogers. 2009.  Experimentaltest of the impacts of feral hogs on forest dynamics and processes in the southeastern US.  Forest Ecology and Management.  258:546-553.

Taylor, R. and D.R. Synatzske. 2008. The javelina in Texas. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. PWD BK W7000-1669 (8/08).

Timmons, J. B., B. Alldredge, W.E. Rogers, and J. C. Cathey. 2012. Feral hogs negatively affect native plant communities. Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service. SP-467.

Timmons, J. B., B. Higginbotham, R. Lopez, J. C. Cathey, J. Mellish, J. Griffin, A. Sumrall and K. Skow. 2012.  Feral Hog Population Growth, Density and Harvest in Texas. Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service. SP-472.