Javelina roaming the neighborhood

You never know where they are lurking, but you can usually find them at dusk and when you see one, there are usually a whole herd of them. 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 may be active during the day when it's cold. It's always exciting when you see them and if you can get to your camera fast enough, you might just be lucky enough to get a photo or video before they run off into the bushes.......