Collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu) have an exceptional sense of smell, far more developed than their eyesight or hearing. They use their powerful noses to sniff out roots, fruits, insects, and even small vertebrates hidden beneath the forest floor. Their sense of smell also helps them recognize other members of their group, thanks to scent glands located just above their tails that produce a musky odor. In fact, they often greet one another by rubbing snouts or flanks, reinforcing social bonds through scent. Of course, in this photo, it was the scent of a human with a large camera that they were taking in. Photographed last month in Piedras Blancas National Park in Costa Rica. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 10,000, f/5.6 at 1/400th of a second.
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Collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu) have an exceptional sense of smell, far more developed than their eyesight or hearing. They use their powerful noses to sniff out roots, fruits, insects, and even small vertebrates hidden beneath the forest floor. Their sense of smell also helps them recognize other members of their group, thanks to scent glands located just above their tails that produce a musky odor. In fact, they often greet one another by rubbing snouts or flanks, reinforcing social bonds through scent. Of course, in this photo, it was the scent of a human with a large camera that they were taking in. Photographed last month in Piedras Blancas National Park in Costa Rica. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 10,000, f/5.6 at 1/400th of a second.
Pretty cool image of two peccaries!
This most recent trip to Costa Rica was my most peccary-y trip yet. I saw them every morning.
They must have a “nose” for a “camera hound”!
Ha, no doubt.