Javelina That Bit Arizona Hiker is Being Tested for Rabies (1-4-2010)

Ok, what the heck is a javelina?

Being a Colorado native, I had no clue what kind of animal the news article was talking about. I got really curious when I read that the animal pinned the hiker down and kept biting him until a cyclist whacked it with a log.

I did some research and found out that a javelina is a medium-sized mammal with a strong resemblance to pigs. Isn't he cute?

















More Facts About the Javelina (from the Arizona Game & Fish Department):

• Peppered black, gray and brown hair with a faint white collar around the shoulders
• 40-60 pounds
• Approximately 19 inches tall
• Young born year-round, most often from November to March
• Average litter of two
• Newborns up to 3 months old are red-brown or tan and are called “reds”
• Live an average of 7.5 years
• Very poor eyesight, may appear to be charging when actually trying to escape
• Keen sense of smell
• Will roll in water and mud to cool off
• Scent gland on back; animals from the same herd stand side-by-side and rub each other’s scent glands with their heads; use scents to identify animals from different herds
• Need a water source for drinking
• Eat primarily plants, including cacti, succulent plants, bulbs, tubers, beans and seeds; sometimes eat insects, garbage and grubs

If you encounter a javelina while hiking, don't run or taunt it. Word on the street is that they get real mad if you call them names like pig wannabe, or long snout. The best strategy is to make a bunch of noise, throw rocks near it, or spray it with water. If none of that works, prepare to defend yourself!