mammals of the region 59 



peccary; havelin 

 Pecari angulatus angulatus 



The Texas collared peccary, or havelin, still inhabits 

 the "shinnery" of the Mescalero sands along the east 

 side of Pecos River, thirty-five miles east of Carlsbad. 

 Two were killed here about ten or twelve years ago, 

 but the small remnant is protected by the ranchmen 

 on whose land the animals range. Several skins and 

 mounted heads were seen at the home of Marvin 

 Livingston, who greatly prizes not only the peccaries 

 but the antelopes and white-tail deer on the Livingston 

 ranch. 



These little tailless pigs with dark gray coats, marked 

 by light-colored collars, are peculiar to America. 



VIRGINIA OPOSSUM 



Didelphis virginianus 



Opossums barely reach the southeastern corner of 

 New Mexico, but recently a few have escaped from 

 captivity at Carlsbad, where they might easily become 

 established as successful residents under the advantage 

 of cultivated land, good cover, and abundant and 

 varied food supply. The whole Pecos Valley will un- 

 doubtedly become the home of these peculiar animals, 

 which thrive even in populous areas because of their 

 great fecundity and tenacity of life, in spite of numerous 

 enemies and edible qualities. Generally their value 

 for fur and food more than compensates for occasional 

 mischief in hen houses, and places them in the class of 

 game rather than of vermin. 



