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