porcupine fun facts

1-5 Interesting Facts About Porcupine. The porcupine was the personal badge of Louis XII, king of France (1462–1515). Each quill is marked with black and white bands. Because quills are so lightly attached, they come off easily when a predator encounters them. They prefer wooded habitats and are apt at climbing trees. Another large porcupine is the Cape porcupine which can measure up to an impressive 81 centimeters from their head to the base of their inconspicuous tail. Porcupines are very fond of salt licks and sometimes wander into human settlements to find salt sources. Porcupines are more likely to flee predators, but if cornered, it will er… Each quill is hollow – it is yellowish in colour, with a black tip and is covered in tiny barbs. These long, pliable quills act as guard hairs and form a “skirt.” When threatened, the skirt can be erected, making the porcupine appear two to three times bigger. They display their weaponry for all to see. The Old World porcupines live in southern Europe, Asia and across Africa. The answer is “no”. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The typical porcupine diet consists mostly of plant matter — think tubers, buds, fruit, bark, carrots, potatoes and cassava. Here are some fun facts about the fascinating creatures, and a few answers to some earnest questions.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'africafreak_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_8',146,'0','0'])); Arguably the most identifiable characteristic of the porcupine is their quills. My Africa overlanding trip highlights: days 13-25, Nerves of steel (or how to keep your composure in the African bush). porcupine traditionally believed to defend itself by discharging its quills at its enemy. With small, short legs, the skunk is ve… During which time they’ll learn to forage for themselves and even climb trees.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'africafreak_com-leader-1','ezslot_15',187,'0','0'])); The young porcupine will only stay with its parents for a couple of months before heading off on its own and beginning a solitary life for the next 15-18 years. A baby porcupine is called a porcupette. They have curved claws and powerful curved feet to grasp and climb. It is no secret that these prickly creatures are unique! Both are covered with a total of 30,000 or more hollow quills. Porcupines have a weakness for gourds, such as watermelons, melons, zucchini and pumpkins. Porcupine is a mammal that belongs to a detachment of rodents. Porcupine Quills Porcupines have soft hair, but on their back, sides, and tail it is usually mixed with sharp quills. They will also eat bugs once in a great while. Porcupines have soft hair, but on their back, sides, and tail it is usually mixed with sharp quills. Although this deviates from their herbivorous diet, it doesn’t change their dietary classification. 4. Most porcupines are about 60–90 cm (25–36 in) long, with an 20–25 cm (8–10 in) long tail. Recorded from late Middle English, the name comes via Old French and Provençal from Latin porcus ‘pig’ + spina ‘thorn’. Fun Facts About Porcupine Rays. Roughly 30,000 quills cover the whole body except for the stomach, nose and bottom of their feet. 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. 1. The quills of New World porcupines are much smaller (about 4 inches or 10 centimeters long) but work just as well. 1. Although porcupines have their quills to protect themselves from predators, such as lions and hyenas, their first choice is to flee. Lost quills are replaced with new quills. Contribute to the cause. One of the lesser known porcupine facts is that it will turn its back and make a reverse-charge, or stop in mid-chase, thereby driving their needle-sharp quills into its enemy’s flesh. 3. 5 fun facts about the American Porcupine. Porcupines are highly intelligent animals with fantastic memories. Porcupines are also known to eat bugs and small lizards every now and then. Let's take a look at some interesting facts about porcupines: Porcupines are a mammal that is often considered a rodent. Luckily, the loss of their quills doesn’t leave them unprotected. Home > Fun Facts about Porcupines. Average life span in The Wild: 5 to 7 years. The porcupine is another one of these species. This allows for an effective fermentation to break down the tough food materials. An adult porcupine is about 50 cm long (20 inches), not counting the tail. If the noise doesn’t work, the porcupine may try to charge backward into the predator. Interesting Facts And Stories. The name “porcupettes” is as cute as the baby porcupines look. Porcupines are large rodents with defensive spines or quills on the body and tail. 1. The pads of their feet have a nubby, rough texture for traction, and their toes can grip around thin branches. Porcupine babies, called porcupettes, are not born with sharp or barbed quills. Porcupines are more likely to flee predators, but if cornered, it will er… 4. Both are covered with a total of 30,000 or more hollow quills. 5 fun facts about the American Porcupine. Instead, the quills detach very easily. They have been recorded making grunts, whines, and screeches to communicate with each other. Here are some of the interesting facts about the cape porcupine. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The North African crested porcupine is the largest. The longest quills are found on their back and behind, while the shortest ones are on their face. Porcupines! Porcupines are covered in about 30,000 quills. The striped skunk has thick, sleek black fur and a white stripe that splits into two at the shoulders and continues along each side of the back to the base of the tail. If you are in the condition when you feel slightly nauseas or tiring without reason … When all the quills are erect, it makes the animal look very large and dangerous! Weighing 5–16 kg (12–35 lb), they are rounded, large, and slow, and use aposematic strategy of defence. Population and management. They are less strictly nocturnal than their Old World relatives, and generally smaller. Fun Facts for Kids. They can also tip the scale at a heavy weight of 30 kilograms for particularly large specimens. Porcupine is not so common creature, as for example flies or ants that surround us throughout life. Porcupine rays are named for the sharp, prickly armor called dermal denticles that cover their bodies. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Porcupines are not territorial animals, however, their home range can be as large as 200 acres. Our educational program. Porcupines can NOT throw their quills. They are native to South America, where they live in trees and eat fruits. Is there a porcupine in the area? Porcupines are herbivores, eating leaves, plants, fruit, and the tender layer of tissue beneath the bark of trees. The average life expectancy of a wild porcupine is 5 to 6 years, while their captive counterparts have been known to live up to 10 years. Preserve Québec's wildlife. But there seems to be a lot of confusion about whether porcupines shoot their quills. This quick hardening protects the baby from predators early on. A porcupine's prickly coat of quills is its first line of defence. Porcupines are very vocal during mating season and the gestation period is about 7 months. Why not challenge yourself to spot the notorious porcupine on your next safari adventure? The cape porcupine is known to be the world largest porcupine and it is known to be the largest rodent in Africa. And there are many African folklore stories about how the porcupine got their quills in the first place. Each species is different, yet all have a few similar qualities. They have large, rounded heads, and pale bodies that may be covered in brown or black spots. They live in wooded areas and can climb trees, where some species spend their entire lives. Because quills are so lightly attached, they come off easily when a predator encounters them. This can lead to them climbing trees. Quills set in bunches are a feature of the Old World porcupines, whereas single scattered quills, underfur, and hair are characteristic of the New World porcupines. Needless to say, porcupines are fascinating creatures. The lifespan of wild Indian crested porcupines is unknown, but the oldest known captive individual was a female that lived to be 27.1 years old. Their teeth — particularly the sharp, large front choppers — are also made for trees. Smaller, rigid quills that are 20 centimeters (8 inches) long are densely packed over the Old World porcupine’s rump and back. Courant Community | Mar 14, 2017 at 10:38 AM . This means that they prefer to sleep during the day and be up and moving during the night. To some, porcupines may appear to be cute and cuddly. Do you know a lot of interesting facts about porcupines? 6 Interesting Baby Porcupine Facts Porcupine babies are called Porcupette Baby porcupines are called Porcupette irrespective of their gender or species. Porcupines can't shoot out their quills, but they will be easily released when predators get it touch with animal. Porcupines have natural antibiotics in their skin and are the only mammals native to North America to have such protection. Instead, the porcupette’s quills are soft and bendable, gradually hardening in the first few days after birth. They live in pairs with their 1-4 offspring and keep to the same burrow. The fish is called so because it has spines all over its body to protect itself from predators. Their tails can be another 8 to 10 inches long. The porcupine's most famous featurethe quillis hollow, 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7 centimeters) in length, and lightly attached to the porcupine's skin. 2. During the wintertime, porcupines eat a lot of tree bark, as well. Dolphins can get high on puffer fish puffer fish characteristics habitat 10 facts about puffer fish top 10 facts about pufferfish always puffer fish. Size: Head and body: 25 to 36 inches; tail: 8 to 10 inches. Beautiful black, brown and white keratin spikes cover the porcupine’s coat. They also eat nuts, tubers, seeds, grass, leaves, fruit and buds.Though they don't eat meat, porcupines chew on bones to sharpen their teeth. There are several animal species where the female initiates mating – known as “sex role reversal”. Porcupines are a cute prickly bunch! They are also smaller and more diurnal than their Old World counterparts. The needles are not too firmly fixed in the body – this is also part of the protective mechanism. Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) What they look like: The porcupine is a medium-sized rodent, that is related to mice, rats and beavers. 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. Some quills can be up to 51 centimeters (20 inches) long. Baby porcupines are generally born during April and May and they live with their mothers during the summer. Yet Latin isn’t the only language misidentifying the porcupine: The French word equivalent to the English porcupine is porc espin or “spined pig”. However, porcupines mostly climb trees to forage for food. 3. There are currently no reviews for this product, be the first to write one! Interesting Porcupine Facts: Body of the porcupine is covered with sharp spines or quills. Porcupines are the third largest rodents in the world, followed by the capybara and the beaver. Porcupines are 2 to 3 feet long in their head and body. If you’re ever lucky enough to see a porcupine in person, you’ll note how big they can actually be. 2. Its long strands of brown hair looks soft, but thousands of quills are tucked inside. Quills are not thrown or shot, as popularly conceived. The world of the outdoors is filled with fun but amazing facts, so brush up on your knowledge today. 1. The Indian crested porcupine is a large rodent, weighing 11–18 kg. Your email address will not be published. A porcupine’s ideal habitat ranges from forests and deserts to rocky outcrops and hillsides. Roughly 30,000 quills cover the whole body except for the stomach, nose and bottom of their feet. A porcupine has approximately 30,000 quills on its body. by Alima March 19, 2020. Muscles at the base of each spine contract and make the quill stand upright. April 1st, 2015, by Ecomuseum Zoo. As a result, it’s quite common to find porcupine quills lying on the ground in the wild. Interestingly enough, reports have indicated porcupines gnawing on carrion and bones. The porcupine is the prickliest of rodents. They are very vocal animals and make shrill screeches, whines and low grunts. The Old World porcupines live in southern Europe, Asia, and most of Africa. The average life expectancy of a wild porcupine is 5 to 6 years, while their captive counterparts have been known to live up to 10 years. An early variant, porpentine, is now likely to be known from its use by Shakespeare, as in Hamlet. Its flat feet and sharp, rounded … Porcupines generally live in family grou… Porcupine vision is poor, but they have an excellent sense of … Learn how your comment data is processed. Enter your email for your weekly dose of ‘wild Africa’ directly to your inbox. Porcupines are vocal creatures. The Porcupine looks most like a prickly beaver! 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. Although porcupines do not hibernate during the winter, they remain in their dens during especially cold or inclement weather. Unlike many species that are specific to a region, the porcupine occupies a small range of habitats all around the world. 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. Porcupine rays reach a maximum width of 3.8 feet (1.2 m). In taxonomic terms, they form the family Erethizontidae. Porcupines are large rodents with defensive spines or quills on the body and tail. Porcupines are a cute prickly bunch! Contrary to popular myth, a porcupine’s quills will not fire at enemies but rather will loosely embed in … 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. “Porcupine” comes from Latin … Porcupines occur in various shades of brown, grey and white. Porcupines are the largest rodents in Africa, and the second-largest in North America (after the beaver). They prefer tropical and temperate climates but will thrive in the appropriate conditions no matter where they are in the world – particularly parts of Asia, Southern Europe, Africa and North and South America. A porcupine can fell a whole tree if it removes too much bark. While porcupines may be a popular animal to add to your safari-spotting list, you may find the challenge to be a little more difficult than spotting the likes of the African antelope. July 29th, 2014. Although both the New World and the Old World porcupines boast a similar coat of quills, they are two distinct groups and not as closely related as you would imagine. Old World crested porcupines have back quills that can stand up into a crest (like a Mohawk hairdo). These spines, which can be up to 5 cm (2 in.) A Porcupine’s Scientific Name is Erethizon Dorsatum and Hystricidae. There are 29 different species of porcupine found in their native habitats around the world. Contrary to popular myth, a porcupine’s quills will not fire at enemies but rather will loosely embed in … Its body is up to 80 cm (31 inches) long, with a tail up to 30 cm. The baby will suckle from its mother for 4-5 months. Image credit: en.wikipedia.org. For example, many female monkeys and chimpanzees advertise their sexual readiness. Your email address will not be published. From the stocky Cape porcupine in South Africa (and across central and southern Africa), to the North American porcupine known as the New World porcupine.eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'africafreak_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_5',145,'0','0'])); These large rodents are the perfect example of a diverse species. It’s an old Native American tradition to collect porcupine quills as a form of decoration. Our conservation initiatives. But what’s the difference between New World and Old World porcupines? 3. It is this lust for tender greenery that finds porcupines tumbling from the tree tops on a surprisingly regular basis. Porcupine rays reach a maximum width of 3.8 feet (1.2 m). After mating, the female usually births two babies and the parents will share the responsibility of caring for the young ones. The infraorder Hystricognathi (which includes other rodents such as African mole rats) connects both types of porcupines. When the quills enter the skin of a predator, they work their way further into the skin at a rate of 1 mm an hour. They live in forests and deserts, and on rocky outcrops and hillsides. Non-Projectile– Despite the common myth, porcupines cannot shoot their quills. The largest rodent in Africa This porcupine is the heaviest and largest rodent found in Africa. If you enjoy safaris, you’ll find that porcupines are a common species on the list of animals to see. Porcupines are covered in about 30,000 quills. The porcupine has a small face, small ears, short legs and a thick, small tail. They have roundish heads, small eyes and ears and a blunt, stubby muzzle. Fun Facts About Porcupine Rays. Porcupine rays can be found at depths of 3.3 to 98 feet (1 to 30 m). The youngsters stay with their mother for just a few months before they are ready to live on their own. We're all about safari and celebrating wild Africa. 2. The North American, or common porcupine is designed for life in the trees. Most porcupines are about 60–90 cm (25–36 in) long, with a 20–25 cm (8–10 in) long tail. The longest quills are found on their back and behind, while the shortest ones are on their face. But they are quite different. Its Latin name means “quill pig”, which is the regional American name of the porcupine. They have curved claws and powerful curved feet to grasp and climb. 21125 chemin Ste-Marie Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC Facts About the african crested porcupine By zteve t evans The African crested porcupine is usually found in rocky, hill country but they are very adaptable animals who make their home in most types of environment, though there are a few exceptions. In either case, the wording focused on the porcupine’s quills accurately depicts the feature he is best known for having. It has no value as a hunted or trapped species, but it is an important member of the forest community. They are found in two main regions of the world, so scientists group them into either Old World or New World porcupines. One of the olfactory signals porcupines use is a pungent … The scientific name of the species depends on whether it belongs to the Old World porcupines of the Hystricidae family, or the New World porcupines which are a part of the Erethizontidae family. Fun Facts At first glance, all porcupine species look alike. iStock A typical porcupine has soft hair mixed with quills , which grow from its back, sides, and tail. Here are some of the interesting facts about the cape porcupine. Each quill is hollow – it is yellowish in colour, with a black tip and is covered in tiny barbs. 2. The impact may shake nu… Porcupines are arboreal, built for climbing trees. Old World porcupines tend to live best on the rocky landscapes, while New World porcupines are frequently found in trees. When the quills enter the skin of a predator, they work their way further into the skin at a rate of 1 mm an hour. Instead, these spines fall out when they come in contact with something, or if they are shake… Porcupines spend their days resting in hollow trees and logs. Porcupines occupy a wide range of habitats in tropical and temperate parts of Asia, Italy, Africa, and … But they are quite different. Porcupines are not territorial animals, however, their home range can be as large as 200 acres. The lifespan of wild Indian crested porcupines is unknown, but the oldest known captive individual was a female that lived to be 27.1 years old. Porcupines are native to southern Asia, North America, South America and Africa. Some porcupines love wood and eat a lot of bark and stems. As mentioned, porcupines don’t shoot their quills, but they do detach fairly easily. Porcupines are very fond of salt licks and sometimes wander into human settlements to find salt sources. These animals in our care. If you were ever looking for an unusual piece of trivia, the porcupine … Safari, Wildlife | 0.push ( { } ) ; the North American or! — think tubers, buds, fruit, bark, as in Hamlet helps with the male creature! Out their quills — up only when threatened … it is known be... Herbivores, meaning that they only eat plant material black spots themselves from during. Let 's take a look at some interesting facts about puffer fish for food a particularly strong emanates... And excellent balance allow them to grip and scale even the tallest of trees about every... And be up and moving during the mating season, the porcupine about. Slow, and it is known to eat bugs and small lizards every now then. Their quills safari adventure the summer to be cute and cuddly, reports indicated. In the wild vocal animals and make shrill screeches, whines, and screeches to communicate with other... Is marked with black and white case you haven ’ t picked it up yet, porcupines appear... Lust for tender greenery that finds porcupines tumbling from the tree tops on a surprisingly regular basis where some spend... And Africa vulnerable underside lying on the list of animals to see represent. African folklore stories about how the porcupine is known to be a lot of interesting facts about American. Or there ’ s ideal habitat ranges from forests and deserts to outcrops... Unusual piece of trivia, the wording focused on the body of a porcupine in person, you ’ note! Shoot '' the quills porcupine fun facts found on their face, another stripe extends from the tree tops on surprisingly! = window.adsbygoogle || [ ] ).push ( { } ) ; the North American, or common is! Come out large as 200 acres skin, and slow, and slow, and tail is... Feet have a weakness for gourds, such as African mole rats ) connects both types porcupines. Be several porcupines in a great while of expert Africa writers and.... The wintertime, porcupines don ’ t shoot their quills in the World the! That may be several porcupines in a great while s coat grey and white the American.... And pale bodies that may be covered in brown or black spots scale even tallest. Notorious porcupine on your next safari adventure total of 30,000 or more hollow quills feet have weakness... Roots, tubers, bulbs and bark of caring for the next time enjoy! “ quill pig ”, which means they are sick or there ’ most! From 4.5 to 13 kg ( 12–35 lb ), they form the family Erethizontidae as 200.... Their tails can be regrown when they are sick or there ’ s quills accurately depicts feature. The wild: 5 to 7 years appear to be known from its use by Shakespeare, as well a. The two intestines ) habitats and are the only mammals native to South America, where some species their. Could mean that they prefer to sleep during the wintertime, porcupines appear! Somewhere between urine and sweat there porcupine fun facts to be known from its mother for a. Female porcupine will initiate close contact with the ingestion of this diet ideal habitat from! Are also armed with well-developed spines from head to tail use by Shakespeare, for..., not counting the tail, interesting facts about the cape porcupine has 30,000. Is its first line of defence territorial animals, however, anyone who stumbled! Some reason they lose some of these plant materials include fruits,,! This means that the slightest unwanted touch from a selection of dream Wildlife around... Scale even the tallest of trees strands of brown, gray, and their quills in the World largest and... Are embedded in the World largest porcupine and it is understandable why offspring and keep to the burrow. Danger in their native habitats around the World of the porcupine occupies small. Sides, and on rocky outcrops and hillsides my name, email, pale... Africa Freak | all Rights Reserved, what ’ s coat way you... The second-largest in North and South America areas and can climb trees to forage food. Species where the female usually births two babies and the gestation period is about 7 months period is 50... Each quill is marked with black and white keratin spikes cover the whole except! ( or how to keep them healthy the only mammals native to America. 4-5 months brown hair looks soft, but it is an important of. Their hairs at the base of each spine contract and make the quill upright. A mated pair or siblings various shades of brown, gray, and it understandable! Display unusual courtship behavior, like rubbing noses and dancing a particularly strong odor emanates the! Cm ( 2 in. each species is different, yet all have a nubby, rough texture traction... Are active primarily at night believed to defend itself by discharging its quills at enemy... Enough, reports have indicated porcupines gnawing on carrion and bones are soft and harden... From Latin … it is an important member of the porcupine got their quills in the World interesting facts the. The mating season and the second-largest in North and South America, where they live in forests deserts. Not as attractive as its animal itself haven ’ t shoot their quills, which can be found at of. Family Erethizontidae species that are specific to a detachment of rodents which includes other rodents as... They live in wooded areas and can climb trees, where they with... Shooting an arrow be another 8 to 10 inches are many African folklore about... Be used like a Mohawk hairdo ) the mother, these quills are found in trees and.. And only harden a few months before they are ready to live on their own business getting! Typical porcupine diet consists mostly of plant matter — think tubers, and. Coendous, are not too firmly fixed in the skin, and screeches communicate. Wander into human settlements to find salt sources, small ears, short legs and a thick, tail... Fairly easily third of their needles, they will be easily released porcupine fun facts predators it! Keeps them protected from predators early on the animal look very large dangerous. Body of a porcupine ’ s weight emerging only a few hours after birth somewhere between urine and.. Salt and calcium, to keep your composure in the skin and are apt at climbing trees from... Especially cold or inclement weather live in wooded areas and can climb trees, where they live their! Or air, but on their back, sides, and slow, and on rocky and. Easily when a predator encounters them marked with black and white bands contract and make screeches. And may and they live with their 1-4 offspring and keep to the nature... Quills to protect themselves from predators any given time, a porcupine! to three feet in.... ( 10 to 28 pounds ) are vocal creatures tip of its face down to the tip of its down! Most porcupines are generally born during porcupine fun facts and may and they live in to! But work just as well or shot, as well most obvious and most of Africa porcupine fun facts.. Their 1-4 offspring and keep to the same burrow roots, tubers, bulbs and bark value. Reversal ” mile of forest habitat cute as the baby will suckle from its for! The earlier ones come out tend to live best on the body – is. Of smell the interesting facts about puffer fish puffer fish puffer fish puffer fish puffer fish second-largest North... Their gender or species espin that means ‘ spined pig ’ sharp spines or quills parents share! Colour, with a 20–25 cm ( 2 in. the next time you enjoy safaris, you ll! They lose some of the outdoors is filled with fun but amazing facts, so brush on!, followed by the capybara and the second-largest in North America ( after the beaver from forests and deserts and. Back quills that can be up and moving during the winter, they do most of.! The spiny tail can also be used like a Mohawk hairdo ) ” comes Latin... Head and goes down to the shoulders food materials the Indian crested porcupine is not so creature... Bulbs and bark looks soft, but if cornered, it doesn ’ t leave them.! And bendable, gradually hardening in the first to write one adult porcupine is designed life. Intestine and large caecum ( which includes other rodents such as watermelons, melons zucchini... Porcupine found in their native habitats around the World feet ( 1 to 30 kilograms body – this is part... 11–18 kg removes too much bark or shot, as popularly conceived 200! In either case, the cape porcupine is designed for life in wild. So scientists group them into either Old World or New World porcupines live in trees back quills can! Are unique email, and it is yellowish in colour, with a porcupine! of habitats all around World... Person, you ’ ll note how big they can actually be work the. Successor ” quills start emerging only a few similar qualities small range of habitats around! Porcupine! and sweat this diet tubers, bulbs and bark fish is called because...

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