Via iStockphoto / @mikeyteetimes TikTok
A man spotted a family of javelinas walking across an Arizona golf course. What are these creatures, and are they dangerous?
A man filmed an Arizona golf course being overtaken by a pack of strange animals. But what are they?
In a video with over 131,000 views, TikTok user and golfer Mike Rodenbush (@mikeyteetimes) shows why “golf in Arizona is just different.”
The video shows a golf course on an overcast day. Several pig-like creatures run across the course, with Rodenbush filming them from just a few meters away.
In the caption, Rodenbush notes that these animals are not wild boars or feral pigs but another creature entirely. This is an animal known as a “javelina.”
Is It Normal To See Javelinas In Arizona?
If you live in the Southwest, this may be a totally typical sight.
If you’re from a different part of the country, however, you might be shocked to learn that javelina are fairly common in areas of the United States.
While these animals may look like pigs, they are not closely related. Modern pigs were introduced to North and South America by western Europeans. The javelina, also known as the collared peccary, is native to the Americas.
Javelinas are usually found in South and Central America. That said, their range extends to parts of New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas. While their natural habitat typically consists of dry grasslands, chaparral, and desert biomes, they are being increasingly found in northern Arizona and in forested areas.
Javelinas And Golf Courses Don’t Mix
Generally speaking, javelina aren’t dangerous. They are mostly herbivores, choosing to munch on cacti, seeds, roots, and other vegetation, and they don’t tend to intentionally attack humans.
But that doesn’t mean that golf courses are happy to see them come around.
Back in 2023, a video went viral showing the destruction caused by a pack of javelina at Seven Canyons Golf Club in Sedona, Arizona.
It’s believed that the animals targeted the golf club due to the fact that it was an unusually hot and dry summer, making it difficult for them to find food. Consequently, the javelina tore up the course in search of snacks.
According to the Associated Press, the club responded by covering the course in coyote urine in an attempt to drive away the animals. Unfortunately, it only attracted them to the course even more.
“It was like putting bacon bits in their salad,” Dave Bisbee, general manager at Seven Canyons Golf Club, told the AP.
The team later covered the course in chili oil, which they claim helped reduce javelina activity. Experts also recommend wire fences, loud noises, and growing certain species of plants to deter javelina.
What Should You Do If You See A Javelina?
If you run a golf course, we would suggest building a wall and filling your Amazon shopping cart with chili oil.
But if you’re just an average Joe playing a couple holes, you shouldn’t be distressed by the sight of a javelina.
Instead, you should simply leave the javelina alone and do not attempt to feed it. The animal may act defensive when it is cornered. This can include charging, teeth clacking, or barking. But if you’re just minding your own business, it will probably leave you alone.
That said, if you have a dog, it’s best to keep it away from the creatures. As noted by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, dogs and coyotes are natural predators of javelina. If one catches a glimpse or whiff of the other, it can lead to a brawl where both may end up seriously injured.
Viewers Have Javelina Stories
In the comments section, users shared their experience dealing with these animals.
“I had Amazon groceries delivered tonight and they ate my carrots in less than 3 mins,” claimed a commenter.
“I took strawberry plants out of my car. Came back out there was nothing but the pot and dirt left,” offered a second.
“Just remember to never get between a mother and her babies. They can be aggressive, but they will mostly leave you alone,” noted a third.
BroBible reached out to Rodenbush via email and Instagram direct message.