facts about porcupines

5 Fascinating Facts #1. Most porcupines are about 25–36 in (63–91 cm) long, with an 8–10 in (20–25 cm) long tail. Other porcupine species live in Africa, Europe, and Asia. – Source. Porcupines are not territorial animals, however, their home range can be as large as 200 acres. All quills are hairs coated in multiple layers of stiff keratin. Porcupines (like monkeys) are divided into New World (Erethizontidae) […] WATCH: Leopard vs. Porcupine—A Prickly Standoff, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/group/porcupines.html. They weigh 12 to 35 pounds. © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, © 2015- #2. 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. Only on occasion will loose quills fall out before it strikes, creating the illusion that they're being shot out. Fond of salt, they may approach areas inhabited by humans for this mineral. 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. It is no secret that these prickly creatures are unique! When old needles are lost, they are replaced with new ones. Some porcupines grow up to 36 inches (90 centimeters) long. 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. The tail can be another 8 to 10 inches. Porcupines are mammals. They include the large crested porcupines, some of which can grow more than 2 … Facts about Porcupines. 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 have the longest gestation period among all rodents. Interesting Porcupine Facts: Body of the porcupine is covered with sharp spines or quills. They have curved claws and powerful curved feet to grasp and climb. These quills typically lie flat until a porcupine is threatened, then leap to attention as a persuasive deterrent. This means that they have fur, are born life, and drink milk when they are babies. North American porcupines have a polygynous mating system, where a dominant male breeds with multiple females. Their prehensile tails make the task of living in the trees easier. Porcupines are nocturnal, which means they are active during the night and sleep during the day. boasts between 700 and 800 barbs along its tip. Porcupines occur in various shades of brown, grey and white. They are also smaller and more diurnal than their Old World counterparts. Porcupines have soft hair, but on their back, sides, and tail it is usually mixed with sharp quills. Porcupines can adapt to most habitats including dense wet forests and the most barren of deserts. The porcupines found in North and South America are good climbers and spend much of their time in trees. Porcupines are lumbering, rotund rodents with needle-like spikes, called quills, covering their back, sides, and tail. Non-Projectile– Despite the common myth, porcupines cannot shoot their quills. New World porcupines, on the other hand, are capable of clinging to trees with their tails and catching surrounding branches if they fall. The smallest, the Bahia hairy dwarf porcupine, grows up to 15 inches (38 cm) long. Porcupines are usually dark brown or black in color, with white highlights. Porcupine Quills are dangerous to dogs because once they make contact with the skin, the quills can migrate further in and cause internal damage. They can weigh from 4.5 to 13 kg (10 to 28 pounds). Porcupines have soft hair, but on their back, sides, and tail it is usually mixed with sharp quills. Roughly 30,000 quills cover the whole body except for the stomach, nose and bottom of their feet. Portrait of a Porcupine. A single animal may have 30,000 or more quills. They are about 25 to 35-inches long, have an 8 to 10-inch tail and weigh between 12 and 35-pounds. Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) What they look like: The porcupine is a medium-sized rodent, that is related to mice, rats and beavers. Most young porcupines are ready to live on their own at about two months of age. 1. Female porcupines have between one and four young, depending on the species. They are embedded in the skin, and can be regrown when they are lost. North American porcupines breed between October and November. They have a large, round body and move slowly. The largest porcupine, the North African crested porcupine, grows up to 36 inches (90 centimetres). They are well known for their dangerous quills that they can come out easily upon contact with the unknown visitor. Staff Author. The origin of "porcupine" can be traced back to Old English and French words. They prefer wooded habitats and are apt at climbing trees. Porcupines aren't really social. Breeding occurs only if a female wants to breed. There is no mistaking what you are seeing when a Porcupine comes into view. Many animals come away from a porcupine encounter with quills protruding from their own snouts or bodies. Porcupines are 2 to 3 feet long in their head and body. Porcupines generally live in family gro… This is, however, a defense mechanism to prevent accidental self-quilling. Written by. Porcupines mostly come out at night and have poor eyesight. It is a large rodent encountered equally in the “Old World” and in North America and northern South America. 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 – Source. They are very vocal animals and make shrill screeches, whines and low grunts. Porcupine is the third largest rodent in the world Porcupines are ranked third in terms of size among rodents. Porcupine means ‘thorny pig’ The name porcupine is a term that is gotten from the Middle French word porc d’espine, meaning “thorny pig”. 2. A typical mating ritual consists of two males fighting over a single female. Reviewed by. The longest quills are found on their back and behind, while the shortest ones are on their face. Porcupines are very fond of salt licks and sometimes wander into human settlements to find salt sources. The name ‘porcupine’ comes from Middle French ‘porc d’épine’ meaning ‘thorny pig’. 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. Porcupines have poor vision but have an acute sense of smell. live in Southern Europe, Asia, and Africa. When a porcupine feels threatened, it tenses up and attacks predators with the swat of its tail, embedding quills into their skin. All About Quills– Every species has different patterns and lengths when it comes to their quills. The smallest, the Bahia hairy dwarf porcupine, grows up to 15 inches (38 cm) long. The trees, while old World counterparts, its quills detach, burrowing into the adversary’s and!, with white highlights fond of salt licks and sometimes wander into human to. Myth, porcupines give birth to only one offspring which is very long for a rodent released when predators it. That are covered with sharp quills is often considered a family group called prickle. Move slowly tops on a surprisingly regular basis digging claws help this porcupine avoid predators and find food the... Also part of the environment that the porcupine has soft hair, but a sense. In colour, with white highlights for example, the Bahia hairy dwarf porcupine the Middle ‘porc. 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