LC Least Concern

Humans often confuse me with a pig, but I am a mammal of a different species. My coat is grayish with black hues. Around my neck, I have yellowish-white fur that resembles a collar. I don't have good eyesight, but I have excellent hearing, so I communicate through loud vocalizations.

My sensitive nose is an excellent tool for obtaining food from the underground such as root vegetables, bulbs, nuts, and fruits. My specialized stomach allows me to eat cellulose-rich grasses without much trouble.

You can find me from the southern United States of America, through Central America to northern Argentina. In Peru, I live in humid tropical forests.

Lonely or with family? 

We live in complex family groups of up to 15 members. We cannot withstand low temperatures, so we huddle in caves or hide in places to keep warm. If we feel threatened, we can stay together on the defensive and threaten our enemies with our fangs and loud vocalizations. We have a scent gland, so we rub each other together; the smell helps us recognize our family members and defend our territory.