This rescued baby javelina rests on a Tucson Wildlife Center volunteer's chest after bottle feeding.

Desert Duets: Javelina Babies Web Page

When baby javelinas are brought to a wildlife center, the volunteers must act as their mothers until the babies are old enough to join a herd. The babies are fed a special milk formula with a syringe. Sometimes the babies bite the syringe, but most baby javelinas quickly learn to suck the milk. Eventually, they learn to drink from a dish and then begin to eat vegetables.

Baby javelinas love to be held and cuddled. If they were separated from their mothers before they were weaned, they love to suck on people's fingers and ears. Just before the babies are old enough to join a herd, the volunteers stop touching and talking to the babies. It is important for javelina to understand they are wild animals that should not trust humans. Isabella's painting shows a baby javelina traveling with a herd.

In Arizona, javelina hunting season is January and February. As the babies are born year round, newborn and young javelina can be orphaned during this time of year. If you find an orphaned baby javelina in the desert, make sure to call a wildlife rescue center. Javelinas grow quickly, and like all wild animals, do not make good pets. Javelinas are also killed by cars and are involved in other accidents that result from sharing their habitat with people.

Javelina Pages: Home | Information | Babies | Activity | Resources

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Launched: February 2008
Updated: 17 July 2011