Mammal field guide · Peccaries

Photographing the Collared Peccary

How to photograph the Collared Peccary (Pecari tajacu): the right lens for its size, shutter speeds for perched and moving animals, and when it's most often seen (January, February, March, April and November).

80–100 cm1/1600–1/2000 s
Collared Peccary (Pecari tajacu)
Photo: © Bernard DUPONT, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) via iNaturalist
80–100 cm
Typical length (family range)
1/500 s
Shutter: perched / still
1/1600–1/2000 s
Shutter: action / flight
f/5.6–f/8
Aperture
17,117
Research-grade sightings in N. America
ModeManual + Auto ISOLock shutter & aperture, let ISO float
Shutter (still)1/500 s
Shutter (action)1/1600–1/2000 s
Aperturef/5.6–f/8
FocusAF-C + subject/eye detectionUse animal-eye AF; for herds stop down a little so several animals are sharp.
DriveHigh-speed burst
Lens100–400 mmFull-frame equivalent

Focal length needed to frame it#

For a subject about 90 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.

Distance⅓ of frame (FF)½ of frame (FF)⅓ of frame (APS-C)⅓ of frame (MFT)
5 m (16 ft)65 mm98 mm43 mm33 mm
10 m (33 ft)130 mm196 mm87 mm65 mm
15 m (49 ft)195 mm294 mm130 mm98 mm
20 m (66 ft)261 mm392 mm174 mm130 mm
30 m (98 ft)391 mm588 mm261 mm195 mm
50 m (164 ft)651 mm980 mm434 mm326 mm

When to find it#

Jan: 10% Jan Feb: 9% Feb Mar: 12% Mar Apr: 10% Apr May: 8% May Jun: 7% Jun Jul: 7% Jul Aug: 7% Aug Sep: 7% Sep Oct: 7% Oct Nov: 9% Nov Dec: 8% Dec
Share of iNaturalist observations by month across North America. Peak months: January, February, March, April and November.

About the Collared Peccary#

The collared peccary (Pecari tajacu) is a species of mammal in the family Tayassuidae found in North, Central, and South America. They are commonly referred to as javelina, saíno, or báquiro, although these terms are also used to describe other species in the family. The species is also known as the musk hog.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Field-craft tips#

  • Use animal-eye AF; for herds stop down a little so several animals are sharp.
  • Sightings peak in January, February, March, April and November, which is when you'll have the most chances.

Ethics#

  • The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
  • Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
  • Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
  • Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.

Frequently asked questions#

What lens do I need to photograph a Collared Peccary?

At about 90 cm long, a collared peccary fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 130 mm, or at 20 m with 261 mm.

What shutter speed should I use for a Collared Peccary?

1/500 s when it's still; 1/1600–1/2000 s for action.

When is the best time to photograph a Collared Peccary?

Observations in North America peak in January, February, March, April and November. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.

Sources & licences#

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources