a newborn ’ s life . It may be that there is some danger that the adult males could kill the baby . Newborns are tiny , weighing only one or oneand-a-half pounds at birth , reddish to light brown in color , and are called reds . Even though they are very small a red is up on his legs in 15 minutes . They grow quickly , nursing for only two to three months . By three months the adult color has come in , he is weaned and foraging for his own food .
A javelina ’ s favorite food is prickly pear cactus , both the pads and the tunas . Those tunas make a great jam and the pads are tasty with eggs , but you must take great care to avoid the sharp spines . Javelinas are completely unbothered by the spines . They just munch away , no problem ! They have a special three-chambered stomach that enables them to digest very tough , fibrous vegetation . The Javier and Lena family are omnivores and eat anything they find from snakes , toads and carrion to roots , mesquite beans and agave . Like bears and raccoons , they have adapted well to human habitation and can be a nuisance by raiding trash and grazing on tasty landscaping . You may find them napping under your car or camper , or rooting around in your tent looking for tasty treats . Just another reason to keep food and trash out of reach .
The family has a territory , but they do not have a den . They make themselves comfortable during the day by rooting out a shallow spot and resting in the shade . They are busy early in the morning and again late in the afternoon , often staying up quite late partying and enjoying each other ’ s company . They rub up against each other , grunting and chattering or calling each other with woofs and barks . When they sleep they stay near each other and keep in touch with sounds and smell . They are very verbal and respond to sounds and calls . Javelinas are near-sighted , but their hearing and sense of smell make up for the weak eyesight . If you threaten one or make one feel cornered , he will warn you by clacking his teeth loudly . Back away . It is not wise to confront a javelina , they run in squadrons and can be formidable fighters when need be .
Javelinas have one or two litters a year , depending on the weather patterns . If there is plenty of rain and the plants are big and healthy there will be more baby reds . A litter is usually two babies . They are smart and have learned to adapt well to changes in the environment . They have a strong family structure and crippled family members continue to be included over time .
Traditionally some natives have raised javelinas as domestic animals for food and hides . The Mayans kept squadrons for meat and hides as well as for ceremonial reasons . No one is known to have a corral of them now , but
they are an important part of the ecosystem . They are an intermediary species . They dig shallow wallows where water can collect , rooting out wet spots and allowing small animals to gather . Their eating habits redistribute seed and spread plant growth by circulating the seed through their digestive system , leaving droppings of seeds , fertilizer attached , all over the family ranch . They provide food for apex predators like cougars and wolves .
Javelinas are a game animal , hunted for meat and hides in the Southwestern United States and throughout Mexico , Central and South America . There are outfitters right here in Big Bend that take out hunting parties on private ranches . Barring early death by the many dangers of being a javelina scooting around a vast desert , they have a life span of 25 to 30 years and are presently considered to be a viable and successful animal .
So when the shadows get long and the sun is resting low in the sky , stop a minute and listen to Javier and Lena and the gang head out for their day . You will hear them woof and snuffle to each other as they start their evening meal . A strange-looking beastie that leads a regulation family life .
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