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Porcupines are large rodents with coats of sharp spines, or quills, that protect them against predators. The term covers two families of animals: the Old World porcupines of family Hystricidae, and the New World porcupines of family Erethizontidae.
Phylum: Chordata
Kingdom: Animalia
Class: Mammalia
Mass: Brazilian porcupine: 3.9 kg, Crested porcupine: 13 kg, MORE Encyclopedia of Life
Length: Brazilian porcupine: 47 cm, Malayan porcupine: 53 cm, MORE Encyclopedia of Life
Gestation period: Brazilian porcupine: 201 days,
Porcupine, any of 25 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, with some being prehensile.
The quills, or spines, take various forms depending on the species, but all are modified hairs embedded in skin musculature.
Old World porcupines (Hystricidae) have quills embedded in clusters, whereas in New World porcupines (Erethizontidae)single quills are interspersed with bristles, underfur, and hair.
No porcupine can throw its quills, but they detach easily and will remain embedded in an attacker. Base coloration ranges from grayish brown through dark brown to blackish, but this colouring is overlaid by variegated patterns of white, yellow, orange, or black due to bands on the spines.
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Porcupines occupy a short range of habitats in tropical and temperate parts of Asia, Southern Europe, Africa, and North and South America. They live in forests and deserts, and on rocky outcrops and hillsides.
Some New World porcupines live in trees, but Old World porcupines stay on the rocks. Porcupines can be found on rocky areas up to 3,700 m (12,100 ft) high. They are generally nocturnal, but are occasionally active during daylight.
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