collared peccary: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Scientific; General Natural History
Quick answer
What does “collared peccary” mean?
A medium-sized, hoofed mammal native to the Americas, resembling a pig, with greyish hair and a distinct pale band ('collar') across the shoulders.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medium-sized, hoofed mammal native to the Americas, resembling a pig, with greyish hair and a distinct pale band ('collar') across the shoulders.
Often used metonymically to refer to the species itself or its role in ecosystems as a prey species and seed disperser.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term 'collared peccary' is standard in British and formal American English. In informal American English, especially in the Southwestern US, 'javelina' (from Spanish) is far more common.
Connotations
'Collared peccary' is neutral and descriptive. 'Javelina' carries regional, informal, and cultural connotations.
Frequency
In the UK, 'collared peccary' is the only term used. In the US, 'javelina' is more frequent in regional speech, while 'collared peccary' dominates in academic/zoological contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “collared peccary” in a Sentence
The collared peccary [verb: lives, forages, roots] in [location].A [adjective: large, solitary] collared peccary was spotted.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in biology, ecology, and zoology papers: 'The foraging behaviour of the collared peccary was studied.'
Everyday
Used in wildlife documentaries, nature magazines, or regional conversation: 'We saw a collared peccary (javelina) on our hike in Arizona.'
Technical
Used in field guides and scientific classifications with the binomial name: 'Pecari tajacu, the collared peccary, ranges from...'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “collared peccary”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “collared peccary”
- Misspelling as 'collared peccery' or 'collared pecarry'.
- Confusing it with wild boar or feral pigs, which are a different genus (Sus).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While they are related and look similar, collared peccaries belong to the family Tayassuidae, while true pigs belong to Suidae. They have different skeletal and dental structures.
Yes, it is hunted for meat in some regions, but it has a strong, musky flavour that requires careful preparation. Always check local hunting regulations.
They are generally shy but can be aggressive if cornered, threatened, or defending their young. Their sharp tusks can cause serious injury.
There is no biological difference; they are names for the same species. 'Collared peccary' is the formal English name, while 'javelina' is a regional/common name derived from Spanish, widely used in the Southwestern US and Mexico.
A medium-sized, hoofed mammal native to the Americas, resembling a pig, with greyish hair and a distinct pale band ('collar') across the shoulders.
Collared peccary is usually technical/scientific; general natural history in register.
Collared peccary: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒləd ˈpɛkəri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːlɚd ˈpɛkəri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PIG with a white COLLAR (like a shirt collar) around its neck – a COLLARED PECCARY.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A for this specific zoological term.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common regional synonym for 'collared peccary' in the Southwestern United States?