Natural History Wanderings

from the National Park Service

Research on animal intelligence has increased in past years. We now know that pigs are self-aware and experience emotions. But what about their peccary cousins? According to the San Diego Zoo, animal biologists have determined that the javelina is about as smart as a dog, dolphin, or elephant. Exactly what that means, however, is open to interpretation. But consider this—the javelina spends a little time in the early morning, and a little more time at sunset “working”- searching for food and eating it. The rest of the time they wallow in shady spots with their family and friends. Maybe they know something we don’t!