# Are peccaries kosher to eat? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 29, 2005, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-peccaries-kosher-to-eat/328493 "2005-10-29T19:49:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2005, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-peccaries-kosher-to-eat/328493/1 "2005-10-29T19:49:52Z")
[Re this thread on Peccaries](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=338086), they are apparently a few evolutionary stages and millions of years removed from domesticated swine. Since they’re not “real” pigs would they be kosher to eat? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2005, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-peccaries-kosher-to-eat/328493/2 "2005-10-29T19:55:43Z")
> [@astro](#): > > [Re this thread on Peccaries](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=338086), they are apparently a few evolutionary stages and millions of years removed from domesticated swine. Since they’re not “real” pigs would they be kosher to eat? The dietary laws prohibit consuming animals that 1) do not have cloven hooves; and 2) do not chew the cud. Although peccaries have cloven hooves, they, like true pigs, do not chew the cud, and thus would be prohibited. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2005, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-peccaries-kosher-to-eat/328493/3 "2005-10-29T19:57:54Z")
In more detail: > [@](#): > > And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, "Say to the people of Israel, These are the living things which you may eat among all the beasts that are on the earth. Whatever parts the hoof and is cloven-footed and chews the cud among the animals, you may eat. Nevertheless among those that chew the cud or part the hoof, you shall not eat these: the camel, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof, is unclean to you. And the rock badger, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof, is unclean to you. And the hare, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof, is unclean to you. And the swine, because it parts the hoof and is cloven-footed but does not chew the cud, is unclean to you. Of their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses you shall not touch; they are unclean to you. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2005, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-peccaries-kosher-to-eat/328493/4 "2005-10-29T19:59:29Z")
> [@](#): > > Of the “beasts of the earth” (which basically refers to land mammals with the exception of swarming rodents), you may eat any animal that has **cloven hooves and chews its cud.** Lev. 11:3; Deut. 14:6. Any land mammal that does not have both of these qualities is forbidden. The Torah specifies that the camel, the rock badger, the hare and the pig are not kosher because each lacks one of these two qualifications. Sheep, cattle, goats and deer are kosher. And from [this site](http://www.americazoo.com/goto/index/mammals/artiodactyla.htm) > [@](#): > > Pigs, peccaries, and hippos have a two or three chambered stomach and are not ruminating (cud chewing) animals, which gave them the classification of “unclean” in the Old Testament of the Bible. So, no. They are not kosher. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2005, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-peccaries-kosher-to-eat/328493/5 "2005-10-29T20:00:45Z")
Curse you, **Colibri**. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2005, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-peccaries-kosher-to-eat/328493/6 "2005-10-29T20:05:15Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > The dietary laws prohibit consuming animals that 1) do not have cloven hooves; and 2) do not chew the cud. Although peccaries have cloven hooves, they, like true pigs, do not chew the cud, and thus would be prohibited. To be fair, it’s my understanding that such criteria were laid out specifically in order to exclude swine. Their non-ruminance was not objectionable of itself, IOW; it was just a convenient distinguishing trait. Like the milk/cheese thing: this rule was meant to avoid the possibility of stewing a kid (read: juvie goat) in its own mother’s milk. In order to exclude any such possibility, the rabbis that be outlawed putting ANY meat in ANY milk. (Also, my theory, because a little bit of kowtowing to arbitrary rules is an age-old device for maintaining power over others.) Thus, even though it wasn’t the original intention of the proscription, you can’t even eat chicken parmesan. Of course you’re correct, Col; don’t mean to suggest otherwise. I just find it interesting how the letter of Talmudic law has come to differ, in some cases, from its spirit. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2005, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-peccaries-kosher-to-eat/328493/7 "2005-10-29T20:06:46Z")
> [@adam yax](#): > > Curse you, **Colibri**. 😛 I am also amused that this OP fits the “Questions about Judaism may only be asked between sundown Friday and sundown Saturday” Rule. ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2005, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-peccaries-kosher-to-eat/328493/8 "2005-10-29T20:24:04Z")
OT: I can’t help but point out [Zev’s 614th Mitzvah](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=338742): _Questions about Judaism, particularly Orthodox rituals, customs and beliefs, will be posted between sundown Friday and sundown Saturday._ Anyhow, all Kosher animals are in the ruminanta suborder of the artiodactyla order. Peccaries are in the suina suborder, and thus not Kosher. Especially with bacon and extra cheese, served on a Saturday afternoon. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2005, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-peccaries-kosher-to-eat/328493/9 "2005-10-29T20:27:50Z")
And I’m the trifecta. I came in this thread with the ‘why always on Saturday?’ question in my mind. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2005, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-peccaries-kosher-to-eat/328493/10 "2005-10-29T20:48:55Z")
> [@elmwood](#): > > Anyhow, all Kosher animals are in the ruminanta suborder of the artiodactyla order. However, not all ruminants are kosher, in particular camels. Interestingly, the Koran, while keeping most of the Judaic dietary laws, permits camels to be eaten. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2005, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-peccaries-kosher-to-eat/328493/11 "2005-10-29T21:16:01Z")
And the always helpful Google ads offer a selection of pig meat orderable online! 😉 The _substantive_ reason I posted to this is two questions that come to mind: Tylopods – camels and llamas – **do** chew their cud and have cloven hooves, but are not true ruminants. Are they considered kosher? (I’m visualizing a kosher llama knackery in Lima.) There was a bunch of stuff in the news a few years ago about the babirusa, the Sulawesi pig that apparently independently developed cud-chewing characteristics, or something of the sort, relative to whether it’s kosher or traife. (Seems to me it was ruled unclean.) Does anyone have any info on that? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2005, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-peccaries-kosher-to-eat/328493/12 "2005-10-29T21:17:05Z")
What’s not kosher about camels? They are, as you note, ruminants, and I’m quite certain that they have cloven hooves. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2005, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-peccaries-kosher-to-eat/328493/13 "2005-10-29T21:27:42Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > What’s not kosher about camels? They are, as you note, ruminants, and I’m quite certain that they have cloven hooves. They are, however, mentioned specifically in the passage someone quoted. Whether they’re ruminants or not doesn’t matter if the Big Guy has specifically said, “No can do.” ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2005, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-peccaries-kosher-to-eat/328493/14 "2005-10-29T21:28:48Z")
Although I have to admit, camels certainly do seem to part the hoof. Looks like another “bats are birds” thing… ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2005, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-peccaries-kosher-to-eat/328493/15 "2005-10-29T21:34:05Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > Tylopods – camels and llamas – **do** chew their cud and have cloven hooves, but are not true ruminants. Are they considered kosher? (I’m visualizing a kosher llama knackery in Lima.) Moses was not a taxonomist. Camels have cloven _feet_, not hooves. The bottom of the foot is composed of a leathery pad, rather than a horny hoof. This is rather different than cattle and sheep, in which it appears that the hoof itself is divided - the animal walks on the horny bottoms of the hooves. So although camels are cloven-footed, and chew the cud, they are excluded because the foot is not composed of an apparently “split” hoof. See my second post. Given that the underside of a llama’s foot is also composed of this kind of pad (although not as obvious as it is in camels) I would guess that llamas also might not be kosher. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2005, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-peccaries-kosher-to-eat/328493/16 "2005-10-29T21:35:58Z")
[Camel foot](http://www.silvertoncamels.com/images/camel%20foot%201.jpg). (Note: do not try to search on “camel toe.” 😉 ) ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2005, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-peccaries-kosher-to-eat/328493/17 "2005-10-29T21:38:51Z")
[Cow hooves](http://hometown.aol.com/cattletrim/images/img_0019.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2005, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-peccaries-kosher-to-eat/328493/18 "2005-10-29T21:44:45Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Moses was not a taxonomist. Camels have cloven _feet_, not hooves. The bottom of the foot is composed of a leathery pad, rather than a horny hoof. This is rather different than cattle and sheep, in which it appears that the hoof itself is divided - the animal walks on the horny bottoms of the hooves. So although camels are cloven-footed, and chew the cud, they are excluded because the foot is not composed of an apparently “split” hoof. See my second post. > > Given that the underside of a llama’s foot is also composed of this kind of pad (although not as obvious as it is in camels) I would guess that llamas also might not be kosher. And again, yes, true; but kosher laws are not about feet. That is, OK, technically, they’re about feet. But that’s a technicality, arrived at after the fact. It’s basically eqivalent to “Because I’m the mom.” ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2005, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-peccaries-kosher-to-eat/328493/19 "2005-10-29T21:49:51Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > And again, yes, true; but kosher laws are not about feet. That is, OK, technically, they’re about feet. But that’s a technicality, arrived at after the fact. It’s basically eqivalent to “Because I’m the mom.” Yes, of course the Mosaic dietary laws were formulated in order to include or exclude certain animals of the Middle East well-known to the Jews. But of course today, having been “written in stone,” so to speak, they could be, and no doubt have been, used to classify animals that Moses had no knowledge of. And that’s what we are talking about here. ---
**Author:** ![bizzwire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/958977/32.png) [@bizzwire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizzwire)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2005, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-peccaries-kosher-to-eat/328493/20 "2005-10-29T21:53:01Z")
Goody; now I can ask the question that’s been bothering me (but not so much that I bothered to actually find the answer): Someone told me that technically, Giraffes are kosher (assuming, of course, that they are slaughtered properly). Yea or nay? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-peccaries-kosher-to-eat/328493.md?page=2)