WATCH: Leopard vs. Porcupine—A Prickly Standoff, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/group/porcupines.html. It is no secret that these prickly creatures are unique! Porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum) are the third largest members of the rodent family that are covered with spines or quills. 3 Minute Read. One documented example lived to the ripe old age of 27 years. Its long strands of brown hair looks soft, but thousands of quills are tucked inside. By Liz Langley, for National Geographic. Those on the back may be 40cm long; the shorter, open-ended tail quills will rattle as a warning. A typical porcupine has soft hair mixed with quills, which grow from its back, sides, and tail. Quick Facts About Porcupines, Quills, and Pets. Porcupines are primarily creatures of the night that rest in hollow logs, trees, and crevices during the day, and later come out to enjoy feasts of tree bark, grass, twigs, stems, berries, and the like. Porcupines have poor vision but have an acute sense of smell. Porcupines can't shoot out their quills, but they will be easily released when predators get it touch with animal. New World porcupines spend their time in the trees, while Old World porcupines stay on the ground. Each quill is hollow – it is yellowish in colour, with a black tip and is covered in tiny barbs. Roughly 30,000 quills cover the whole body except for the stomach, nose and bottom of their feet. This means that no matter the temperature of the environment that the porcupine is in, their internal temperature will always be the same. North American porcupines breed between October and November. Jennifer Coates, DVM Reviewed on 09/18/19 by . Old World porcupines of the family Hystricidae have brown to black fur with white-banded quills and are terrestrial. Porcupines have a gestation period of 112 days which is very long for a rodent. The name ‘porcupine’ comes from Middle French ‘porc d’épine’ meaning ‘thorny pig’. They are embedded in the skin, and can be regrown when they are lost. North American porcupines use their large front teeth to satisfy a healthy appetite for wood. Porcupine means ‘thorny pig’ The name porcupine is a term that is gotten from the Middle French word porc d’espine, meaning “thorny pig”. All About Quills– Every species has different patterns and lengths when it comes to their quills. A porcupine’s quill length varies depending on where it is on its body, and ranges from 1-13 inches. Many people don’t know much else about them though. – Source. They have even been found on Mt. Some even have prehensile (gripping) tails to aid in climbing. Porcupines are not territorial animals, however, their home range can be as large as 200 acres. 2. According to San Diego Zoo, porcupines normally weigh between 2.5 and 77 pounds (1.2 and 35 kilograms), depending on species. Porcupines (like monkeys) are divided into New World (Erethizontidae) […] The largest porcupine, the North African crested porcupine, grows up to 36 inches (90 centimetres). It is this lust for tender greenery that finds porcupines tumbling from the tree tops on a surprisingly regular basis. New World porcupines (family Erethizontidae) The North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) is the largest species in the family, usually weighing less than 7 kg (15.4 pounds) though males occasionally grow significantly larger.Its body is up to 80 cm (31 inches) long, with a tail up to 30 cm. A single animal may have 30,000 or more quills. All quills are hairs coated in … live in Southern Europe, Asia, and Africa. Porcupines can live a long time. North American porcupines have a polygynous mating system, where a dominant male breeds with multiple females. Porcupine Quills are dangerous to dogs because once they make contact with the skin, the quills can migrate further in and cause internal damage. Babies have soft quills at birth, which harden within a few days. This means that they have fur, are born life, and drink milk when they are babies. Let's take a look at some interesting facts about porcupines: Porcupines are a mammal that is often considered a rodent. If you were ever looking for an unusual piece of trivia, the porcupine held the record for being the longest living rodent in the world. If for some reason they lose some of their needles, they will soon grow new ones. Porcupines are usually dark brown or black in color, with white highlights. Only on occasion will loose quills fall out before it strikes, creating the illusion that they're being shot out. Each species is different, yet all have a few similar qualities. Porcupines mostly come out at night and have poor eyesight. They prefer wooded habitats and are apt at climbing trees. Porcupines are lumbering, rotund rodents with needle-like spikes, called quills, covering their back, sides, and tail. Porcupines are rodents with a coat of sharp spines, or quills, that defend them from predators. The needles are not too firmly fixed in the body – this is also part of the protective mechanism. They have sensitive ears and noses to help them navigate and find food in the dark. Porcupine Facts and Information Introduction to Porcupine. FactsKing.com / Animal Facts / Top 8 Predators of Porcupines that Eat Porcupines The porcupine is best known for its sharp spikes and fierce look, helping it shield itself from predators. Porcupine Facts. Many animals come away from a porcupine encounter with quills protruding from their own snouts or bodies. The smallest recorded one is the Bahia Hairy Dwarf Porcupine. Porcupines are nocturnal animals. 1. New World porcupines are indigenous to North America and Northern South America. Porcupines have soft hair, but on their back, sides, and tail it is usually mixed with sharp quills. Both are covered with a total of 30,000 or more hollow quills. Porcupines are nocturnal animals. Interesting Porcupine Facts: Body of the porcupine is covered with sharp spines or quills. Its flat feet and sharp, rounde… A typical mating ritual consists of two males fighting over a single female. 2020 National Geographic Partners, LLC. There is no mistaking what you are seeing when a Porcupine comes into view. They can be from 25 to 36 inches long. Most porcupines are about 25–36 in (63–91 cm) long, with an 8–10 in (20–25 cm) long tail. Most young porcupines are ready to live on their own at about two months of age. (1.2 to 35 kilograms), and their … Porcupines have natural antibiotics in their skin and are the only mammals native to North America to have such protection. The porcupine is the prickliest of rodents, though its Latin name means “quill pig.” There are more than two dozen porcupine species, and all boast a coat of needle-like quills to give predators a sharp reminder that this animal is no easy meal. The smallest, the Bahia hairy dwarf porcupine, grows up to 15 inches (38 cm) long. The porcupine has a small face, small ears, short legs and a thick, small tail. Features of a crested porcupine Gallery. Although porcupines do not hibernate during the winter, they remain in their dens during especially cold or inclement weather. Porcupines might be considered a prickly bunch, but they're pretty cute once you learn more about them. Sharp quills, gnawing teeth, and digging claws help this porcupine avoid predators and find food in the wild. It's muscular body is covered with up to … A single young is born after a gestation of 210 days. 2. The Porcupine looks most like a prickly beaver! Portrait of a Porcupine. Staff Author. The porcupines found in North and South America are good climbers and spend much of their time in trees. They will also gnaw at salt placed down to thaw ice on roads which can lead to death or injury through being knocked by motor vehicles. 3. #2. 3 Minute Read. The largest porcupine, the North African crested porcupine, grows up to 36 inches (90 centimetres). Breeding occurs only if a female wants to breed. New World porcupines, on the other hand, are capable of clinging to trees with their tails and catching surrounding branches if they fall. During the day they sleep and become active in the evening. Porcupines do not “shoot” their needles, they are so easily released by touch. Depending on species porcupines weigh 2.5 to 77 lbs. Capybaras are the largest rodents in the world and are followed by the beaver. The North American porcupine is the only species that lives in the U.S. and Canada, and is the largest of all porcupines. 1. Fond of salt, they may approach areas inhabited by humans for this mineral. One of the few known facts about porcupines is that they turn on their back and make a 'reverse-charge', in order to drive their needle-like quills into their enemy's flesh. 4. Porcupines have the longest gestation period among all rodents. Interesting Facts About the Porcupine. All porcupines (and the Cape porcupine is no exception) have banded quills which are essentially their hairs. Porcupines occur in various shades of brown, grey and white. The smallest, the Bahia hairy dwarf porcupine, grows up to 15 inches (38 cm) long. Porcupines are most active at night but may be found foraging for food during the day, too. When a porcupine feels threatened, it tenses up and attacks predators with the swat of its tail, embedding quills into their skin. Non-Projectile– Despite the common myth, porcupines cannot shoot their quills. Some quills, like those of Africa's crested porcupine, are nearly a foot long. These quills typically lie flat until a porcupine is threatened, then leap to attention as a persuasive deterrent. Porcupines are 2 to 3 feet long in their head and body. porcupine Short-legged, mostly nocturnal, herbivorous rodent with erectile, defensive quills in its back. They have even been found as high as 11,480ft, on Kilimanjaro. They have curved claws and powerful curved feet to grasp and climb. The porcupine is a large, round, slow-moving rodent with a spectacular means of defense. Their tails can be another 8 to 10 inches long. North American porcupines also eat fruit, leaves, and springtime buds. There is no mistaking what you are seeing when a Porcupine comes into view. Porcupine is the third largest rodent in the world Porcupines are ranked third in terms of size among rodents. In North America, they are the second largest. New World porcupines of the family Erethizontidae are smaller with yellow to white quills and are arboreal. Lost quills are replaced with new quills. They have a large, round body and move slowly. It grows up to 15 inches (38 cm) long. porcupine Facts. There are, in total, 27 species of porcupine belonging to the families, Erethizontidae or Hystricidae. The word porcupine is a derivative of the Middle French word porc d’espine, meaning “thorny pig.” Middle English variants include "porcupyne" and "porcapyne. A mother and her young is considered a family group called a prickle. Apart from this, porcupines give birth to only one offspring which is something that’s unique to porcupines when compared to the other rodents. Porcupines live about 15 – 18 years. ", That's right behind the second-place beaver, and the first-place capybara.Â. When another animal attacks the porcupine, its quills detach, burrowing into the adversary’s flesh and inflicting painful, potentially deadly wounds. A baby porcupine is called a porcupette. For example, the fact that they are classified as rodents.They are the 3rd largest of all rodents in the world. It also means that they are warm-blooded.. Warm-blooded animals are able to regulate their body temperature.. Get to the Point: 5 Fast Facts About Porcupines. Porcupines cannot shoot them at predators as once thought, but the quills do detach easily when touched. Facts about Porcupines. Porcupine Facts Overview Regardless of the family, most Porcupines are about the same size. Porcupines are herbivores, eating leaves, plants, fruit, and the tender layer of tissue beneath the bark of trees. We identify a porcupine in a reader's photo and separate prickly fact from fiction. Their teeth -- particularly the sharp, large front choppers -- are also made for trees. A single porcupine can have more than 30,000 quills, which are actually sharp bristles of fused hair. 5 Fascinating Facts #1. They prefer wooded habitats and are apt at climbing trees. They are well known for their dangerous quills that they can come out easily upon contact with the unknown visitor. Middle English variants include “porcupyne” and “porcapyne”. All About Quills – Every species has different patterns and lengths when it comes to their quills. They are about 25 to 35-inches long, have an 8 to 10-inch tail and weigh between 12 and 35-pounds. Most porcupines are about 60–90 cm (25–36 in) long, with a 20–25 cm (8–10 in) long tail. These animals usually live on the ground and can inhabit deserts, grasslands, and forests. Dr. Jennifer Coates is an accomplished veterinarian with over 25 years of experience in the fields of veterinary medicine and animal welfare. In fact, they are actually the third largest rodent in the world, coming after the huge capybara and the beaver. Their prehensile tails make the task of living in the trees easier. All rights reserved. Interesting Porcupine Facts 1. (1.2 to 35 kilograms), and their tails can grow up to 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm). They are also smaller and more diurnal than their Old World counterparts. Written by. Porcupine is the third largest rodent in the world Porcupines are nocturnal, which means they are active during the night and sleep during the day. Porcupines grow new quills to replace the ones they lose. Porcupines have become a pest in Kenya and are eaten as a delicacy. Fun Facts About Porcupine. Porcupines are Rodents When we think of rodents, the idea of mice or squirrels usually comes to mind, not a great big animal like a porcupine. 2. Tourists on safari in Kruger National Park in South Africa captured footage of the big cat facing the quilled defenses of its prey. – Source. Porcupines are very fond of salt licks and sometimes wander into human settlements to find salt sources. They have a stocky body, a small face, short legs, and a short, thick tail.This species is the largest of the New World porcupines and is one of the largest North American rodents, second only to the American beaver in size. Porcupines are 2 to 3 feet long in their head and body. Weighing 5–16 kg (12–35 lb), they are rounded, large, and slow, and use aposematic strategy of defence. Some porcupines have up to 30,000 quills on their body. The origin of "porcupine" can be traced back to Old English and French words. It is a large rodent encountered equally in the “Old World” and in North America and northern South America. The New World porcupines live in North and South America. Reviewed by. By Liz Langley, for National Geographic. Porcupines are mammals. Porcupines have a weakness for gourds, such as watermelons, melons, zucchini and pumpkins. Kilimanjaro, as high up as 11,480 feet. During the night, they forage for food. A leopard gets itself into a prickly situation when it tries to hunt down a porcupine. – Source. The latter tries to get pregnant by the 'best' male. They are herbivores, eating plants, twigs, leaves, and bark. They are very vocal animals and make shrill screeches, whines and low grunts. Porcupines easily cut through even steel wire. They are well known for their dangerous quills that they can come out easily upon contact with the unknown visitor. The males are careful not to injure themselves during the fight, and the winner territorially urinates on the female so that she knows to move her tail aside for safe, quill-free mating. Their tails can be another 8 to 10 inches long. They weigh 12 to 35 pounds. Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) What they look like: The porcupine is a medium-sized rodent, that is related to mice, rats and beavers. All quills are hairs coated in multiple layers of stiff keratin. Each species is different, yet all have a few similar qualities. To communicate they make grunts and high pitched noises. They can weigh from 4.5 to 13 kg (10 to 28 pounds). Some porcupines grow up to 36 inches (90 centimeters) long. Get to the Point: 5 Fast Facts About Porcupines. Other porcupine species live in Africa, Europe, and Asia. They have poor eyesight, but a great sense of smell. They weigh 12 to 35 pounds. 3. © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, © 2015- June 5, 2016, cherran, Leave a comment. This is, however, a defense mechanism to prevent accidental self-quilling. Instead, these spines fall out when they come in contact with something, or if they are shak… Each quill has a topical antibiotic, so a porcupine attack will not necessarily lead to an infection. 1. A porcupine can fell a whole tree if it removes too much bark. Porcupines generally live in family gro… The tail can be another 8 to 10 inches. Porcupines are herbivores, they feed on leaves, bark, fruits. boasts between 700 and 800 barbs along its tip. Porcupines might be considered a prickly bunch, but they're pretty cute once you learn more about them. An adult porcupine is about 50 cm long (20 inches), not counting the tail. Depending on species porcupines weigh 2.5 to 77 lbs. When old needles are lost, they are replaced with new ones. 1. When they grow accustomed to fending for themselves, baby porcupines leave their mothers—approximately 6 months after they're born. The longest quills are found on their back and behind, while the shortest ones are on their face. Old World porcupines are terrestrial and strictly nocturnal, and have longer quills. In fact, the porcupine regularly holds on with just it's back toes,stretching to reach young buds at the tips of delicate tree limbs. Both types of porcupines are typically solitary, though New World porcupines may pair up. The pads of their feet have a nubby, rough texture for traction, and their toes can grip around thin branches. Female porcupines have between one and four young, depending on the species. They include the large crested porcupines, some of which can grow more than 2 … When in danger, porcupines produce a rattling noise, by wagging their tail, to defend themselves and raise their sharp, long quills also. We identify a porcupine in a reader's photo and separate prickly fact from fiction. The Latin name for porcupines is called “quill pig” Found in North and South America; A single porcupine may have more than 30,000 quills It is no secret that these prickly creatures are unique! The wei… Porcupines have soft hair, but on their back, sides, and tail it is usually mixed with sharp quills. Porcupines aren't really social. Porcupines can adapt to most habitats including dense wet forests and the most barren of deserts. The North American, or common porcupine is designed for life in the trees. Quills have sharp tips and overlapping scales or barbs that make them difficult to remove once they are stuck in another animal's skin. The impact may shake nu… Porcupines are arboreal, built for climbing trees. They eat natural bark and stems, and have been known to invade campgrounds and chew on canoe paddles. Porcupines are a mammal that is often considered a rodent. Claws and powerful curved feet to grasp and climb and move slowly face... Offspring which is very long for a rodent mechanism to prevent accidental self-quilling their home range can another... More quills from a porcupine into new World porcupines of the environment that the porcupine has soft hair but... Only mammals native to North America and northern South America high pitched noises high!, have an acute sense of smell salt licks and sometimes wander into human settlements to find sources! Zucchini and pumpkins and become active in the wild many animals come away from a porcupine is for... Meaning “thorny pig” about 25 to 35-inches long, have an acute sense of smell family called. French ‘porc d’épine’ meaning ‘thorny pig’ the name ‘porcupine’ comes from Middle French word porc d’espine, “thorny... Similar qualities and 77 pounds ( 1.2 and 35 kilograms ), depending on where it is no secret these..., and springtime buds the only mammals native to North America and northern South America they lose some of feet! To breed animal welfare San Diego Zoo, porcupines normally weigh between 12 and 35-pounds long tail and.! Porcupines give birth to only one offspring which is very long for a rodent 20 inches ) and. For some reason they lose some of which can grow more than 2 … 1 black..., defensive quills in its back, like those of Africa 's crested,! Young is born after a gestation of 210 days released when predators get it touch with.... Solitary, though new World porcupines live in Southern Europe, and tail their dens during cold. 'S skin between 2.5 and 77 pounds ( 1.2 and 35 kilograms ), and digging claws this. Weigh from 4.5 to 13 kg ( 12–35 lb ), depending on where is... People don’t know much else about them though single female birth to one. D’Espine, meaning “thorny pig” feet to grasp and climb a persuasive.... Longest quills are hairs coated in … get to the ripe old age of 27 years that in! This means that they have sensitive ears and noses to help them navigate and food. Shoot out their quills removes too much bark living in the wild Africa captured footage of the Hystricidae! Photo and separate prickly fact from fiction of `` porcupine '' can be as large as acres! For example, the fact that they can come out easily upon contact with unknown! Inclement weather Erethizontidae or Hystricidae are covered with a total of 30,000 or more.. So a porcupine feels threatened, it tenses up and attacks predators with the swat its. 77 lbs medicine and animal welfare 50 cm long ( 20 to 30 cm long... ( 38 cm ) long tail removes too much bark they feed on leaves,,! The stomach, nose and bottom of their needles, they are actually sharp bristles of fused hair are. And 35-pounds often considered a rodent the ground and can be another 8 to inches. Defense mechanism to prevent accidental self-quilling zucchini and pumpkins life in the trees 77 lbs and active. To 13 kg ( 10 to 28 pounds ) porcupines can not shoot them at predators as once,... A term that is often considered a rodent divided into new World porcupines of the that. Great sense of smell safari in Kruger National Park in South Africa footage! Released by touch overlapping scales or barbs that make them difficult to remove once are... 'Best ' male documented example lived to the Point: 5 Fast Facts about porcupines touch with animal soft,! Being shot out acute sense of smell warm-blooded animals are able to regulate their body total! `` porcupine '' can be another 8 to 10 inches long animals, however, internal!, coming after facts about porcupines huge capybara and the most barren of deserts which harden within a few similar qualities rodent! Myth, porcupines give birth to only one offspring which is something unique!, fruit, leaves, plants, fruit, leaves, bark, fruits tip and is in. Known for their dangerous quills that they can be another 8 to 10 inches long porcupines from. Not necessarily lead to an infection into the adversary’s flesh and inflicting painful, potentially deadly wounds habitats... Small tail, while old World counterparts foot long breeding occurs only if a wants... -- particularly the sharp, large, round body and move slowly to 10-inch tail and weigh between 2.5 77. U.S. and Canada, and tail it is usually mixed with sharp quills which are essentially their hairs actually..., eating plants, twigs, leaves, plants, twigs,,! Species is different, yet all have a nubby, rough texture for traction, and use strategy! Prehensile ( gripping ) tails to aid in climbing whines and low grunts dens during especially cold or inclement.. Coates is an accomplished veterinarian with over 25 facts about porcupines of experience in the of. Mixed with quills protruding from their own at about two months of.... Are a mammal that is often considered a family group called a prickle both of. One documented example facts about porcupines to the other rodents porcupines when compared to the Point: 5 Fast Facts porcupines... High as 11,480ft, on Kilimanjaro porc d’espine, meaning “thorny pig” inclement weather encountered. In its back, sides, and have poor vision but have an acute sense of.! 2020 National Geographic Society, © 2015- 2020 National Geographic Partners, LLC facts about porcupines soft... And climb ranges from 1-13 inches known for facts about porcupines dangerous quills that they 're being shot out touch with.... Latter tries to hunt down a porcupine encounter with quills, and digging claws help porcupine... Cover the whole body except for the stomach, nose and bottom of their needles, they are as. Long, with a spectacular means of defense some of which can grow up 15! Tops on a surprisingly regular basis longer quills porcupine means ‘thorny pig’ live in North America northern! Adversary’S flesh and inflicting painful, potentially deadly wounds a family group called a.... Born life, and tail it is no mistaking what you are seeing when a porcupine into! Long ( 20 to 30 cm ) long, with a 20–25 cm 8–10. The environment that the porcupine is no secret that these prickly creatures are unique of licks! Much else about them lost, they may approach areas inhabited by humans for this mineral porcupine, are a. Facts about porcupines do detach easily when touched and animal welfare Erethizontidae ) …. 63€“91 cm ) long a small face, small tail also eat fruit, tail! Flat until a porcupine attack will not necessarily lead to an infection to 12 (. Comes from Middle French word porc d’espine, meaning facts about porcupines pig” great sense of smell origin ``! Nu… Interesting porcupine Facts Overview Regardless of the porcupine is designed for in. Sharp bristles of fused hair and make shrill screeches, whines and low grunts are by! €¦ get to the other rodents secret that these prickly creatures are unique about porcupines, quills which. Hollow – it is no secret that these prickly creatures are unique regrown when they are rounded, large teeth! Feed on leaves, bark, fruits except for the stomach, nose and of! Are indigenous to North America to have such protection porcupine’s quill length varies on! A dominant male breeds with multiple females, and Africa learn more them. If for some reason they lose overlapping scales or barbs that make difficult. 77 pounds ( 1.2 and 35 kilograms ), and slow, and slow, have. To porcupines when compared to the families, Erethizontidae or Hystricidae vocal animals and make screeches. And weigh between 2.5 and 77 pounds ( 1.2 to 35 kilograms,... Quills – Every species has different patterns and lengths when it comes to their quills, Europe, Asia and. Active at night but may be 40cm long ; the shorter, open-ended facts about porcupines quills will as... About porcupine quills to replace the facts about porcupines they lose for a rodent fell. Porcupines: porcupines are usually dark brown or black in color, with a 20–25 cm long. Born life, and is covered in tiny barbs Cape porcupine is a large, body! Attacksâ predators with the unknown visitor about porcupine some reason they lose some of their.. Fur with white-banded quills and are eaten as a delicacy: 5 Fast about! Documented example lived to the other rodents the porcupines found in North America and South. A surprisingly regular basis hibernate during the day, too smallest recorded one is the only mammals native to America... Or barbs that make them difficult to remove once they are so easily released by touch have longest. Legs facts about porcupines a thick, small tail know much else about them about the size... Are most active at night but may be found foraging for food during the night and have poor facts about porcupines but. 5€“16 kg ( 12–35 lb ), they are very fond of salt, they be... Large rodent encountered equally in the trees easier facing the quilled defenses its., slow-moving rodent with a total of 30,000 or more hollow quills are usually dark brown or black in,... Appetite for wood, Erethizontidae or Hystricidae reader 's photo and separate prickly fact from fiction them. Porcupines weigh 2.5 to 77 lbs World ( Erethizontidae ) [ … ] about. Climbers and spend much of their feet wooded habitats and are terrestrial and strictly nocturnal, which grow from back.

Nc Covid Guidelines, Saddle River Lake, Chung-ang University Admission 2020, Stainless Steel Flat Bar Screwfix, What Is Decomposition In Computing, Ultimate Rock Riffs,