Tayaussa

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Tajacu \Ta*ja[,c]"u\, Tajassu \Ta*jas"su\, n. [Pg. taja[,c]['u],
     from Braz. taya[,c]['u] a hog or swine.] (Zool.)
     The common, or collared, peccary ({Tayassu tajacu}). Called
     also {javelina} and {tayaussa}.
     [1913 Webster + PJC]
  


           Javelina
           Common Names: Collared Peccary, Musk Hog, Tayaussa
           Genus: Tayassu
           Species: tajacu
           The [a href="images]javelina.gif">javelina is the only
           wild pig in North America. It looks exactly like a real
           pig except a little bigger. It is a grizzled
           blackish-gray color with a yellowish band which runs
           under the neck. The name {collared peccary} comes from
           the ruff of hair around its neck. It has small, round
           ears and beady eyes. Its body is barrel-shaped with
           short legs. Its head is pointed, ending in a disc-like
           nose. Javelinas have 3 toes on each hind foot. The
           upper tusks (1.5 inches long) are pointed down, instead
           of up like some other wild pigs. The javelina grows
           from 46 to 60 inches long, and can weigh up to 60
           pounds.
           Javelinas live in the canyon area of the desert. They
           live there because it is bushy and there are water
           holes everywhere. They need the bushes for the shade
           and they need lots of water to live.
           The javelina eats cacti, grass, bulbs, berries,
           flowers, mushrooms, and fruit, which is easy for them
           to get in their habitat.
           The javelina always travel and live in groups. The
           female gives birth to twins about once a year. Her
           young travel with the group their whole life until they
           die. No new members are ever accepted into the group
           unless they are born into it.
           The javelinas have a very good nose. That can have its
           advantages if there is a predator around. They also
           look for food in groups so if they're attacked they can
           fight back in numbers.
           The javelina's niche is the water holes and bushes in
           the canyon area where they live. They get shade under
           the bushes, so they won't over heat. They can't survive
           long without water, so it's good to have water close by
           if you are a javelina.
           Javelinas' status in the wild is very good right now.
           There are lots of them around and they're not dying off
           or going extinct.                        --Tristan A.
                                                    (from
                                                    http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/javelina.htm,
                                                    2000.)
     [PJC]