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Love it here -

Two blog posts today.

http://ontheroadwithbeth.com/blog/2012/ ... tate-park/

And the javelinas:

http://ontheroadwithbeth.com/blog/2012/ ... -javelina/

That was fun, thanks for the pics and the walking tour!!!

Thanks Beth.Loved the birds and scenery but the Javelina's were scary looking, reminded me of wild boars.

I had heard that javalina stink. You didn't mention that, so I assume they don't?
Neat to see the pics of them, Beth!

You are having the time of my life. I have enjoyed all the parks you have been staying. Thanks so much for sharing.

AlmostThere wrote:I had heard that javalina stink. You didn't mention that, so I assume they don't?
Neat to see the pics of them, Beth!

There was no smell (that I could detect) to these javelinas. Neat animals - with self-sharpening teeth... something I don't want to try out. But they weren't threatening at all - although if hungry I would be more afraid.

Just wondering if the javelina is part of the pig (hog) family?? Another good reason to keep the pups on leash or inside. Thanks for the pix.

Linda

Where to next?

It's my understanding they are related to pigs - but are not of the same family - if that makes sense.

Mainly they aren't dangerous, unless they feel threatened (which is true of most animals, including us humans). And mostly they live on roots, grasses, seeds (explaining why they liked my bird seed!) but will eat small animals - a reason to not let dogs run loose near them, especially if they're hungry. That said, Peaches ignored them on our hikes; they ignored Peaches and me. I can't say I ignored them, as I was taking pictures.

Kelly - have left TX today and am now boondocking near Carlsbad, NM. Love where I am, but hate that I scratched the heck out of the side of the rv driving in here I even walked it first - new there was one area might be pushing it widthwise, but were a couple. Went to take care of it (without gloves) and cut my hand up on the thorns, so will have to go back with gloves tomorrow - or sometimes before I leave. Will post exactly where I am after I leave.

Peaches is happy - she went in the water and brought tons of dirt and sand into the rv I had just vaccumed.

Travelinana wrote:Just love the pictures. My husband and I made a jaunt out to west Texas many years ago. We had a van (no facilities) and slept every other night in it. You girls who like your out of the way places and boondocking might consider taking pruning and lopping shears with you and good gloves as Beth had, might save buffing out scratches later.

Was wishing I had pruning or lopping shears, for sure. Luckily these branches bend and break fairly easily - but gloves are a necessity!

Though some people think javelina are a type of wild pig, they are actually members of the peccary family, a group of hoofed mammals originating from South America. Javelina are common in much of central and southern Arizona, including the outskirts of the Phoenix area, most of Tucson, and occasionally as far north as Flagstaff. Javelina form herds of two to more than 20 animals and rely on each other to defend territory, protect against predators, regulate temperature and interact socially. They use washes and areas with dense vegetation as travel corridors. Javelina are most active at night, but they may be active during the day when it is cold.


Arizona Javelina
 

 

Description and Habits

Peppered black, gray and brown hair with a faint white collar around the shoulders
40-60 pounds
Approximately 19 inches tall
Young born year-round, most often from November to March
Average litter of two
Newborns up to three months old are red-brown or tan and are called “reds”
Live an average of 7.5 years
Very poor eyesight, may appear to be charging when actually trying to escape
Keen sense of smell
Will roll in water and mud to cool off
Scent gland on back; animals from the same herd stand side-by-side and rub each other’s scent glands with their heads; use scents to identify animals from different herds
Need a water source for drinking
Eat primarily plants, including cacti, succulent plants, bulbs, tubers, beans and seeds; sometimes eat insects, garbage and grubs

I'm envious Beth you got to see one of those birds that I wanted to see and never did
the one with the P at the beginning of its name
loved your pictures did so good
thanks for taking us on this trek
Sheila

Great posts Beth The Javalinas are a nuisence here in TX and elsewhere! They are a destructive and nocturnal critter. Even NY is having a problem with wild pigs. Glad peaches is away from them!

Love,
Sharon