Porcupine - Wikipedia
WebPorcupines are large rodents with coats of sharp spines, or quills, that protect them against predation. The term covers two families of animals: the Old World porcupines of the family Hystricidae, and the New World porcupines of the family Erethizontidae.
North American porcupine - Wikipedia
WebDescription. Porcupines are usually dark brown or black in color, with white highlights. 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 the second largest North American rodent, after the American beaver.
Porcupine | Size, Diet, & Facts | Britannica
WebApr 2, 2024 · porcupine, any of several species of large, herbivorous, quill-bearing rodents active from early evening to dawn. All have short stocky legs, but their tails range from short to long, some being prehensile. The quills, or spines, take various forms depending on the species, but all are modified hairs embedded in skin musculature.
North American porcupine - Smithsonian's National Zoo
WebThe North American porcupine is one of the largest rodents found in North America, coming second to the North America beaver. They weigh around 20 pounds (9 kilograms) and are 2 to 3 feet (60 to 90 centimeters) in length.
Everything You Need to Know About Porcupines - Wild Explained
WebSep 4, 2023 · Porcupines are fascinating rodents that belong to the family Hystricidae, which includes several species. These nocturnal animals are found in various parts of the world, including Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.
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Porcupines | National Geographic
WebMammals. Diet: Herbivore. Group Name: Family. Average Life Span In The Wild: 5 to 7 years. Size: Head and body: 25 to 36 inches; tail: 8 to 10 inches. Weight: 12 to 35 pounds. Size relative to a...
Porcupine - Facts, Diet & Habitat Information - Animal Corner
WebPorcupine. Porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum) are the third largest members of the rodent family that are covered with spines or quills. The name ‘porcupine’ comes from Middle French ‘porc d’épine’ meaning ‘thorny pig’. There are, in total, 27 species of porcupine belonging to the families, Erethizontidae or Hystricidae.
Porcupine - National Geographic Kids
WebPorcupines. Scientific Name: Hystricidae, Erethizontidae. Type: Mammals. Diet: Herbivore. Group Name: Family. Average Life Span In The Wild: 5 to 7 years. Size: Head and body: 25 to 36 inches;...
Porcupine | African Wildlife Foundation
WebPorcupines are the largest and heaviest of all African rodents. The head is roundish and rather domed, with a blunt muzzle and small eyes and ears. The legs are short and sturdy, and each foot has five toes, all equipped with powerful claws. Their most recognizable feature is, of course, its quills.
Get to the Point: 5 Fast Facts About Porcupines - National …
WebJan 31, 2015 · WEIRD & WILD. Get to the Point: 5 Fast Facts About Porcupines. We identify a porcupine in a reader's photo and separate prickly fact from fiction. By Liz Langley. January 31, 2015. • 4 min read.
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