Ao Ao is a monstrous creature from South American mythology – primarily Paraguay. He is said to be one of the cursed sons of the gods Tau and Kerana. He appears as a voracious sheep-like creature with large fangs and an appetite exclusively for humans.

Ao Ao is a fearsome beast. If chased by him, the only escape is climbing a palm tree – sacred in the area. If you climb any other type of tree, Ao Ao will circle the tree, howing incessantly, and dig up or knock it down. His name comes from his howl – sounding like “Ao-Ao-Ao”

So what inspired this strange beast?

The Chacoan peccary is an endangered species of peccary. A peccary is a medium-sized pig like mammal found throughout Central America, South America, and in the Caribbean.

The Chacoan peccary is the largest species of these animal, weighing over 85 lbs (40 kg). They are also the rarest species, living only in the dry Chacoan region of South America ( Paraguay, Bolivia, and Argentia). Only 3,000 remain in the world.

The Chacoan peccary was first described in 1930 based on the fossil record and was thought to be extinct. In 1971, the animal was discovered alive in Argentina. The species was well known to the local population, but took a while for the Western scientists to acknowledge its existance.

The Chacoan peccary has many pig-like features. It had hooved feet and a well defined, leathery snought. The bristle-like hair is brown to gray. These animals often travel in herds of 20 individuals. They are active in the day, especially the morning.

Peccaries are social mammals communicating by various sounds, ranging from grunts to chatters to calls. Though some inidivuals can exhibit aggressive behavior, they will not attack unless threatened.

Chacoan peccaries are herbiverous and eat the tough vegitation found in the Gran Chaco region. They graze on cacti, roots, and pods. The large teeth found inside the animals mouth help pull off spines and chew the rough foliage.

The story of Ao Ao has been around for a long time used by Paraguayan adults to scare their children. Historians believe it was inspired by the Chacoan peccaries that also lived in the area. The story lives on, but now the peccaries are considered endangered by the IUCN. The herds are decreasing as a result of habitat loss.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums has a species survival plan for the peccary. They help manage the breeding and transfer of the species within accredited insitution to keep it from extinction. It is only found in the Gran Chaco region of South America.

To support the Chacoan peccary, consider supporting the World Land Trust.

Sources:

Ao Ao. Myths and Folklore Wiki. (n.d.). Retrieved January 7, 2023, from https://mythus.fandom.com/wiki/Ao_Ao

Chacoan Peccary. San Francisco Zoo & Gardens. (2021, October 16). Retrieved January 7, 2023, from https://www.sfzoo.org/chacoan-peccary/

Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.). Peccary. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved January 7, 2023, from https://www.britannica.com/animal/peccary

Farrows. (2022, October 19). Chacoan Peccary. World Land Trust. Retrieved January 7, 2023, from https://www.worldlandtrust.org/species/mammals/chacoan-peccary/

Paraguayan Mythology. Para La Tierra. (2019, September 25). Retrieved January 7, 2023, from https://www.paralatierra.org/