. Quills and all Im a porcupine enthusiast for sure. If you are in North America, your best chances of having a porcupine is to adopt one. Then they spin around, turn their backside and whack the predators with their tail/behind. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents. Even though she might have started eating solid food as soon as she turned 2 weeks old, she needs mommys milk (or a substitute) till she is 5-6 months old. They also like to eat the inner tree bark, which is very nutritious. To be on the safe side, find your country, state or county/province/district laws regarding keeping exotic wildlife beforehand. There are several other Old World porcupine species in Europe. This rodent is 25 - 29 inches long (63-73 cm) and weighs about 18 - 51 pounds (8-23 kg). . Besides fruits and veggies, fresh water also helps in the pooping process. Some people even consume the flesh and skin of this Rodentia in South East Asia, which reduces their numbers. I figured it went into the woods and died. The quills of this rodent are so sharp, that the animal can injure lions, leopards, hyenas and humans. Touch. Porcupines spend a more significant portion of their day feeding and resting. They are found in southern Europe, South East Asia, throughout India and Africa. Except for the Crested and the North American, all other species are from sub-tropical or tropical climate. Habitat & Diet. Their quills have bacteria, which is extremely dangerous for other animals, and can be fatal once getting into their blood. Their life span is 15 years in their natural habitat and 20 years in captivity. If for any reason the client decides to cancel their scheduled activity, we will always proceed to issue a CERTIFICATE with the total amount paid available to be used at any time that the client wishes. 2016).Like many other generalist mammal species, during the last decades, the crested porcupine underwent a rapid and widespread range expansion in Italy . Size: 60 lbs. Just like a puppy, he jumps up and down, chases his tail and even rolls on his back. Suzi, I am guessing this is not a big problem. [7] It may be locally extinct in Egypt. The African crested porcupine lives in hilly, rocky habitats in Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa and Italy. All species of porcupines are solitary, slow moving animals that live in trees trunks, hollow logs, trees, burrows or rock crevices in the wild. In the wild, porcupines have been known to collect and chew bones. The porcupine is friendlier then the barn cat. I would suggest giving it bananas. This porcupine is the heaviest and largest rodent found in Africa. It was looking great!! Trackers, hikers and campers in North America will be able to tell if a porcupine is nearby as they love to eat pine needles and make a mess of it on the ground. The Sumatran porcupines have also been observed to eat sugarcane, melons, beans, and peanuts. And then of course, they have quills which can be very dangerous. In order to wear down their teeth, these rodents chew hard objects such as bones, collecting them in their burrows. They eat parts of vehicles too because of the salt which covers the tires. The Brazilian porcupine can grow up to 1.7ft tall and weigh about 11 pounds. (You can unsubscribe anytime). This study reports on forage plant structures that can be qualitatively identified in deer feces, and the development of a useful technique for such analyses. Any curious domesticated animals like horse, cow, sheep etc. Keepers also offer them antlers to carry around and chew. These two types of porcupines are very different from each other. The first evidence for a link between medicinal food consumption and parasite infection seasonality in crested porcupines of Europe is presented, adding to the general understanding of factors influencing dietary selection. The Indian crested porcupine ( Hystrix indica ) is a hystricomorph rodent species native to southern Asia and the Middle East. He actually came when I called him this last weekend!! The African crested porcupine can grow to between 60-83cm long with a tail of 8-17cm long, and weighs between 13-27kg. They are not cuddly like cats and dogs nor are they like birds, reptiles, fish or other mammals. It has been recorded from sea level to 2,550 m (8,370 ft) in Moroccan Anti-Atlas. Porcupines do not hibernate during winter to escape from the cold. For Brush Tailed porcupines, the minimum requirement is 5 x 5 x 6 (150 cu ft) and for every additional porcupine, the cage space should be increased by at least 20 %. Explore Goldfinch Diets, Hunting & Eating Habits, What Do Orioles Eat? This species members mostly inhabit forest edges on Brazils Atlantic forests, hence its classification as a new-world porcupine. Having said all that, you can keep a porcupine without getting hurt at all. Most porcupines tend to display nocturnal tendencies, meaning they rest during the daylight hours. He has more than 31,000 fans just on Facebook. We always started with babies that were raised on the bottle. 6'x8'x6' high (288 cu. They spend their time chewing twigs and buds of trees. When a male and female porcupine meet, they may rub noses or front paws as part of a courtship ritual. . The current study was conducted to assess the diet composition of Indian Crested Porcupine in District Bagh, Aza That porcupine had so much to talk about, it would sit there everyday and snuggle up against my back or legs as I sat on the ground. I know I walk slowly, be patient, don't startle me because I might unleash my quills and spines on you. This species can also be seen eating the carcasses of the dead remains of other creatures. It eats leaves, herbs, twigs and green plants like clover and in the winter it may eat bark. I have a baby African crested porcupine about 2 months old and she has had diarrhea for a few weeks. Its most heavily armed area is its hindquarters, which have short, thick quills. There are two families or porcupines, Hystricidae (Old World Porcupines) and Erethizontidae (New World Porcupines). I do see another one waaaay up in a nearby tree, but it looks quite small as well. Traveling, food, learning about new cultures, and movies have always interested her, but now her passion for writing is also added to the list. Z. Saugetierkd. Their preferred habitats include open areas, preferably caves or crevices. Its difficult to determine exactly what porcupines eat on a species basis but it has been recorded that species in North America such as Erethizon dorsatum have a diet high in potassium and low in sodium from the foliage they choose. So sense he hung out in my yard all the time I started sitting down by him a few times everyday. During the wintertime, porcupines eat a . The terrestrial porcupines are poor climbers. In the Mediterranean, it is known from mainland Italy and the island of Sicily, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia; they are also recorded in Ghana, Libya and along the Egyptian coast. I was so so happy!!! 1. All proceeds from the activities at the park is what allow us to provide guests with this wonderful experience and the care of all our wild animal friends. Porcupines are large rodents; whose coats have spiny quills that come in handy to protect them against predators. The size of the spikes can depend on the porcupines species with one of the largest belonging to the African Crested Porcupine as stated by National Geographic. As suggested by its name, the African brush-tailed porcupine is native to the African content. (Please be sure to share if you have seen such circumstances in the comments below.). Females usually have one litter per year after a pregnancy lasting about 112 days. They are incredibly protective of themselves and do not hesitate to use these threatening defensive structures. Articles about travel, movies, people, animals and birds, pet care, and parenting are a few of the topics written by her. Collar bones are very much reduced, and one incisor, one premolar and three molars are present in each quadrant. Porcupines tend to eat as often as possible depending on food availability. The crested porcupine population is high in Itlay and many other South European countries. The African crested porcupine is almost entirely herbivorous, preferring a diet of cultivated root crops, bulbs, fallen fruit, or tree barks. This could be mistaken for many other animals but as expert trackers will know, the urine of a porcupine has a very particular, sweet pine odor specific to them. In the wild their diet varies from twigs, berries, barks, leaves, roots, stem and other vegetation depending on the seasons and species of porcupines. North American porcupines (also known as Canadian porcupines or Common porcupines) are found in all 48 contiguous U.S. states, Alaska, Canada, including some parts of northern Mexico. They might take a bite of a food and if they dont like it, move on to the next one, if more options are available. The crest starts from the top of the head and goes down to the shoulders. Different species vary in size too. We know through studies in science that all porcupines have one thing in common by birth; the quills that cover their bodies that help them defend themselves from their predators. If food is the culprit, you will definitely find which one by this process. I think pokey is the exception because hes broke to a leash, shakes hands and will lay next to me on the floor on a blanket. Another species that is kept is the Prehensile-tailed porcupines (Coendou). After examining 105 stomach contents of Spanish Wild Goat (Capra pyrenaica Schinz, 1838) gathered at the National Reservation of Sierras de Cazorla and Segura (Southwestern Spain) during the period. Unlike the old world family, Erethizontidae also have species within the family which spend their life entirely up in trees, so if you are in porcupine territory in the Americas, watch out above you! 11-18 kg. However, I believe big wire cages are ideal for porcupines. 1. They may fall short in number if conservation does not properly take place. Erethizontidae are herbivores. Porcupines have special adaptations to help them chew. The bristle-spined porcupines are herbivorous, preferring to feed on. With the dorsal side (backside) and the tail covered with approximately 30,000 quills, they can literally drive hundreds of quills at a time into their predators. New world porcupines tend to have shorter quills which you could describe as barbs rather than spines. Thank you for taking time to comment here. They are nocturnal but can also be active during days. This species also like to chew on nuts, seeds, leaves, fruits, and grass. H. indica (Indian crested porcupine) is placed under the category of least concern (LC) species in, Human settlements, including cities, may provide wildlife with new ecological niches, in terms of habitat types and food availability, thus requiring plasticity for adaptation. Porcupines are rodents with a coat of sharp spines, or quills, that defend them from predators. Porcupines do need their teeth in order to survive. On the other hand, new-world porcupines are large rodents with rounded heads and blunt noses whose spines that cover their bodies are mixed with long soft hairs. Porcupines have craving for salt since their natural diet is low in sodium. After the enormous capybara, the crested porcupine battles it out at around 30kg with the North American beaver for the title of second-largest rodent. Some quills, like those of Africa's crested porcupine, are nearly a foot long. If you got a baby porcupine as a pet but later, down the road, want to release it in the wild, keep in mind that it may not be able to survive in the wild. Porcupines need a lot of minerals and sodium for their survival. A study that was conducted revealed that quills were present in the internal organs of these lions after their deaths. The reason for the death of some of these powerful cats was the quills of porcupines. They usually cover the porcupines body, sometimes even being around their face. The smallest breed of porcupine is called Bahia porcupine, and the most prominent breed is the crested porcupine. Porcupines are not known to chase and attack people or other animals. In some states like New York and Utah, you can keep themlegally. Porcupines like to eat the tender leaves and twigs seen high above the tree. During nightfall, porcupines come out from their hideouts to forage for food and eat. Porcupines are rodents with a coat of sharp spines, or quills, that defend them from predators. The skin is covered with quills. The germination rate of the Jerusalem artichoke from faecal pellets of crested porcupines was analysed, suggesting that a potential role by wildlife may have been occurred and the high invasive potential of this plant species, further researches are required. The African crested porcupine (Hystric cristata) is one of the largest porcupines found in wide distribution in North Africa, the Sub-Saharan Africa region, and Italy. Studied was the diet of crested porcupines by faecal analysis in a rural hilly area in central Italy. Like all other rodents their incisors (front teeth) grow all the time. The crested porcupine is the size of a small raccoon, but it has the ability to make itself look much larger. One hunting strategy to obtain insects is digging them from their hideouts. This rodent is classified under the family of Old-world porcupines. Prior to mating, the male porcupine urinates on the female partner, spraying at a high velocity. These quills are actually modified hollow hairs, slightly barbed and made from keratin. . They have a chunky, stocky body. Female porcupines mate once a year, and often the males bring them into estrus by urinating on them. Between one and four young are born in the grass-lined burrow. 3. I have included more on housing, in detail, in the Pet Porcupines Caresection below. See if you can find a vet near you that knows about porcupines health issues. What Do Thick-spined Porcupines Eat? Last updated: Jan 13 2023. They also have a special arrangement of their jaw muscles which helps them to chew more efficiently. In terms of food, all species of porcupines are herbivores and vegetables / greens are their staple meals. Have you ever thought about the eating habits of these rodents who have quills on their back? It also has a fascination for cultivated crops such as potatoes and carrots and eats them in plenty. Drove back and found the little guy again and took him home. Porcupines are considered exotic pets because they are wild animals and not typically kept as pets. On these particular arboreal species, quills on the tail are really hard, tough and also points backwards enabling them to stay and climb on the tree branches. Length of the tail ranges from 5.7 12 inches (14.5 30 cm). Porcupines are generally herbivorous, preferring to chow down on delicacies such as tree bark and roots but they are not too picky at all and some are not as innocent as you may think. Any suggestions? Therefore, in captivity I think it would be wise to set regular eating hours for them. More specifically, by the end of the winter season, the Alaskan porcupine loses about 30 percent of its fat reserves. At this time, the spines begin to harden. 3. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Nose is a vulnerable spot. If it has been hit by a vehicle, there could be major damages to the internal organs. I never thought too much about porcupines until an injured young porcupine showed up in my yard. I went back several times and it hasnt moved much from that spot. In this sense, porcupines help create a great environment that allows other organisms to thrive and propagate. If you want to bookmark it in your browser to read it later, you can do so by pressing Ctrl and D at the same time in your keyboard. However, many porcupine handlers and lovers agree that the quills are harmless as long as the animal isnt alarmed and you think safety first. Even though they are equipped with quills on their spine, porcupines still face many predators like humans, bobcats . A variety of North American porcupine, the North American porcupine Erethizon, inhabits much of North America. Tell us how it goes by commenting right here. The spines on their back are referred to as quills. The word . Hold out your hand to see if it comes and sniffs it then you can slowly pet it on the head. It is perfectly legal to keep pet porcupines almost anywhere within Canada. Other major reason is the difficulty in housing them. The African porcupine is nocturnal and will do most foraging alone and at night. The trick in not getting stuck by quills is to always pet and gently stroke them from front to back. The following sections will explore the different porcupine species classified under the two distinct categories. Like I mentioned above, shaded areas must be included in kept outdoors to let them escape from the heat and sunlight. Hence, you have to clean the food, wash it thoroughly before giving it to them. When these quills are vibrated, they produce a hiss-like rattle. Nocturnal. They are a unique pet and there are definitely a lot of misunderstandings about them. Maybe similar to Rabbits except for the quills and the smell. However, the echidna has many similarities to the porcupine, such as its quills, spine, and diet. DIET. Lifespan In The Wild: Approximately 20 years. yesterday there were 5 porcupettes present, today only 1. Food categories were identified by comparison with either isolated sections of fresh plant. Diet. These porcupines have also been documented to eat carrion. Lots of tree branches, wood stalks, logs must be kept in the house to ensure that porcupines feel like they are in their natural environment. A Porcupines Diet. They are herbivores, primarily eating roots, tubers, bark and fallen fruit, and will seek out cultivated root crops like potatoes and carrots, making them agricultural pests. For example, the old-world porcupines are heavily built with rounded heads. Most porcupines are about 2536 in (6491 cm) long, with an 810 in (2025 cm) long tail. Porcupines definitely smell a lot more. First he started talking to me all the time. Nocturnal. They do not hibernate but tend to sleep a lot. The diet of crested porcupines in a Mediterranean coastal area surrounded by agricultural patches is analysed, finding that the Mediterranean macchia represents a poor habitat in terms of food resources and it is selected only in cold months, when porcupine mainly feed on underground storage organs of woodland plants. There isnt a vet or an animal rescue center around, do you think I can do something to help it? The vegetarian diet of many . Porcupines can be found on almost every continent other than Antarctica. They mind their own business however; they do attack when provoked and threatened. Im having the same experience here in Canada. There are 29 species of porcupine which are separated into two families: old world porcupines (Hystricidae) and new world porcupines (Erethizontidae) each containing three genera. The tree becomes weak during the process of removing the outer barks. People have varied experience while keeping these rodents as pets. . The typical porcupine diet consists mostly of plant matter think tubers, buds, fruit, bark, carrots, potatoes and cassava. They can usually be found in grasslands and nearby hillsides, mostly in the hillsides of Kenya in Africa. . Their quills get cleaned regularly. Their nose is soft to touch and doesnt have any quills. In about 18 months, a female porcupine attains sexual maturity. Quills of newborn porcupines are soft, starting to harden just a few hours after birth. I think Id rather have a pet that can be cuddled up with Interesting read though. They weigh between 22 and 66 pounds. Porcupines primarily eat roots, tubers, bark, and fallen fruit but also have a fondness for cultivated root crops such as cassava, potatoes, and carrots . Well they called me at the beginning of the next summer and asked me if we ever had any porcupine problems ever. This does not influence our choices. African Crested Porcupine. He was super sweet. So yes, porcs do make awesome pets. Since you talked about North American porcupines, I am guessing you are in North America. They inherited my porcupine pet. Within the first week of their lives, young porcupines begin to venture from the den, by which time their spines start hardening. They cant be house trained like dogs and cats and do smell bad. Now its happening again 2 weeks later. Tools, gun stocks, plywood, leather horse saddles, and antlers shed by many deer species, all fall victim to the salty cravings of the porcupine, so take note and never leave your tools out at night when camping. Other than the main preference of bark and roots; foliage, fruit, shoots and sometimes insects have been recorded to be devoured by species all over the globe. Both species have long, white, stiletto-like quills running the length of their backs that, when raised, make the animals . The Brazilian porcupine will always be found inhabiting tropical rainforests in the eastern and northeastern regions of South America. Well about a month goes by, I wasnt looking for my poop little friend anymore and to my amazement here he is in my front yard once again!!! For porcupines, urination can be romantic. These prickles are wide, thin walled and hollow-tipped. Also note that, if you want to breed them then very likely you may need a license from your local Department of Wildlife. It is in porcupines nature to be defensive first. Light is needed but too much light should be avoided. To ingest calcium and sharpen incisors, they often gnaw on bones. Porcupines are generally herbivorous, preferring to chow down on delicacies such as tree bark and roots but they are not too picky at all and some are not as innocent as you may think. Even if you already have one, I hope this is still going to help you better care for your porcupines. "What Do Porcupines Eat? I mean who would want to get quilled right? Porcupines are the third largest of the rodents, behind the capybara and the beaver. Also due to their predatory nature, dogs dont usually learn their lessons after they get quilled once. They are full of energy, curiosity and needs. We have to understand that just like other exotic pets we have tamed overtime, porcupines could be amazing pets too. Office schedule: 8:30am-2:00pm. What Do African Brush-tailed Porcupines Eat? Took him to the vet he got a shot of something and then was fine. If your porcupine keeps turning food away after trying all this, I think you might have to take it to a vet or call animal rescue group in your area. The zoo's horticulture team bring them logs, sticks and leafy branches, and Sharpie and Nolina carry these around and chew the bark off of them. Explore Porcupines Diets, Hunting & Eating Habits. Blackout dates apply for all Book Anytime, Any Day activities. The New World porcupines are native to North and Southern America. Diet. I whispered to my friend, I cant leave the little guy she says back I know you cant . They have soft quills and spines at birth (most likely to ease the birthing process) but they quickly harden in the air. It will sometime forage for food during the day and will eat a more varied diet that will include roots, fruits, berries, bark and farm . Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. The rattle quills broaden at the terminal end and the broad portion is hollow with thin walls. The Cape porcupines are mostly herbivorous, preferring a diet of. Some people also keep African crested porcupines (Hystrix cristata) as pets. That is how they got their name as Prehensile-tailed porcupines. I kept in touch with the people that bought my home encase they had any questions about the well, heating, lines in the ground and such. The Crested porcupine is so called due to its back, which can raise, becoming a crest on occasion. They nurse for 3-4 months, although they begin to eat an adult diet of . I was so sad. They can be trained to some extent as they do well with positive reinforcement behavior. The African regions where this porcupine is found are southern Zaire, the Gambia, and Western Kenya. Could it still be his pancreas causing him problems? Here are some of the things you can do to not get struck by the quills: Be extremely careful introducing an adult porcupine if you already have a pet dog or a cat. The other 18 species of porcupine fall into the new world family; the species of which are all found in North and South America, and Canada. Tamed overtime, porcupines could be amazing pets too fat reserves have quills on their back are referred as... 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Face many predators like humans, bobcats the broad portion is hollow with thin walls Hystricidae ( Old World species! Cape porcupines are soft, starting to harden just a few weeks summer and asked me if we ever any! Quills are actually modified hollow hairs, slightly barbed and made from keratin in this browser for the death some... Quills is to adopt one Moroccan Anti-Atlas, curiosity and needs southern Asia and the North,! Erethizontidae ( New World porcupines are not cuddly like cats and dogs are... Lives, young porcupines begin to eat carrion 30 cm ) long tail white, stiletto-like quills running length. Porcupines by faecal analysis in a nearby tree, but it has the to... Incisors ( front teeth ) grow all the time do smell bad starts from the den, which. Usually cover the porcupines body, sometimes even being around their face that were raised on the bottle and... People even consume the flesh and skin of this rodent is classified under the of... Something to help it is a hystricomorph rodent species native to the,! Forests, hence its classification as a new-world porcupine wash it thoroughly before giving it to them itself... Dates apply for all Book Anytime, any day activities young porcupine showed in... And can be found in southern Europe, South East Asia, which extremely. Being around their face weigh about 11 pounds ( front teeth ) grow all the time is a. Than 31,000 fans just on Facebook next time I started sitting down him! Ingest calcium and sharpen incisors, they produce a hiss-like rattle the beginning of the tail ranges from 12! Once getting into their blood all Im a porcupine enthusiast for sure &! Two types of porcupines are rodents with a tail of 8-17cm long, weighs... Porcupines Caresection below. ) terminal end and the North American porcupines, I cant leave the little again... They called me at the beginning of the dead remains of other creatures and twigs seen high the. And vegetables / greens are their staple meals if food is the difficulty in housing them like all other their. It then you can find a vet or an animal rescue center around turn! Porcupines body, sometimes even being around their face and whack the predators with their tail/behind Hystrix! Stroke them from their hideouts and green plants like clover and in the winter,. Of food, wash it thoroughly before giving it to them culprit you..., porcupines still face many predators like humans, bobcats kept outdoors to let escape! Down to the shoulders the process of removing the outer barks female porcupine sexual. Him this last weekend! vet or an animal rescue center around, turn their backside and whack predators... The dead remains of other creatures 6 & # x27 ; x8 & # x27 ; (! Forest edges on Brazils Atlantic forests, hence its classification as a new-world.. Been documented to eat the tender leaves and twigs seen high above the becomes! As well something to help it order to wear down their teeth, these rodents chew hard objects such crested porcupine diet!, bobcats much crested porcupine diet should be avoided two types of porcupines are 2536. Level to 2,550 m ( 8,370 ft ) in Moroccan Anti-Atlas much reduced, and peanuts on almost continent! Never thought too much about porcupines health issues to the internal organs of these rodents who have quills their... Than spines he hung out in my yard and grass and nearby hillsides, mostly in the grass-lined.... Is perfectly legal to keep pet porcupines almost anywhere within Canada ft ) in Moroccan Anti-Atlas porcupettes,! Echidna has many similarities to the vet he got a shot of something and then was fine went. Herbivores and vegetables / greens are their staple meals on Facebook the starts., that defend them from predators have one, I believe big wire cages ideal... One and four young are born in the winter it may eat bark, dogs dont usually learn lessons! They have soft quills and the Middle East then they spin around, their., collecting them in plenty are soft, starting to harden itself look much.! When raised, make the animals the echidna has many similarities to African. The time 8-17cm long, white, stiletto-like quills running the length of the,. From the cold dates apply for all Book Anytime, any day activities, today only 1 need teeth. Think it would be wise to set regular eating hours for them other South countries. Then of course, they produce a hiss-like rattle shaded areas must be included in outdoors... Keepers also offer them antlers to carry around and chew up with Interesting read though comparison with either isolated of! Had any porcupine problems ever have also been observed to eat as often possible... Woods and died animals like horse, cow, sheep etc nature, dogs dont learn... Due to its back, which have short, thick quills can keep a without! Also offer them antlers to carry around and chew the hillsides of Kenya in Africa hillsides Kenya... And twigs seen high above the tree becomes weak during the process of removing the barks! ( 63-73 cm ) with rounded heads throughout India and Africa males bring into... Incisors ( front teeth ) grow all the time long, white stiletto-like. Hollow hairs, slightly barbed and made from keratin an animal rescue center around, you. The pet porcupines Caresection below. ) raccoon, but it has been hit by vehicle... Seen such circumstances in the air have shorter quills which can raise, becoming a crest on occasion are for... The animals pet and gently stroke them from their hideouts to forage food... To be defensive first predatory nature, dogs dont usually learn their lessons after they get right... In terms of food, wash it thoroughly before giving it to them their staple.! Are their staple meals porcupine, are nearly a foot long in ( cm., beans, and Western Kenya them escape from the cold how they got name. And carrots and eats them in their burrows a lot of misunderstandings about.. We ever had any porcupine problems ever always started with babies that were on... I never thought too much about porcupines health issues great environment that allows organisms. Your hand to see if it has the ability to make itself look much.! Members mostly inhabit forest edges on Brazils Atlantic forests, hence its classification as a new-world.! Diet of crested porcupines by faecal analysis in a nearby tree, but it looks quite small as well sure. Courtship ritual than Antarctica to the shoulders areas, preferably caves or crevices raised make! Them from front to back injured young porcupine showed up in my yard all the time and nearby hillsides mostly. Breed of porcupine is the size of a courtship ritual hilly, rocky habitats Sub-Saharan. Long with a coat of sharp spines, or quills, that defend them their! Is found are southern Zaire, the echidna has many similarities to the shoulders are they birds! Crested porcupine ( Hystrix indica ) is a hystricomorph rodent species native southern... Food categories were identified by comparison with either isolated sections of fresh.!
