Pat Seawell

Wild pigs near Big Bend National Park? Not really. Pigs and peccaries are classified within the same order of mammals (Artiodactyla, along with deer, antelope, and hippopotamus), but they are in different families. Suidae (pigs and hogs) and Tayassuidae (peccaries). The two families diverged about 38 million years ago. Pigs evolved in the Old World, peccaries in the New World. But, thank you for giving us a glimpse of these amazing creatures. They maintain exceptionally close family ties and the whole herd cares for and supports the babies. Peccaries are not really adapted to cold weather. On more than one occasion I have observed a herd lying together in a tight pile for warmth, while allowing the babies to WALK over their backs and squeeze themselves down into the middle of the herd. Sweet. Happy day, Pat