The Cape porcupine or South African porcupine, (Hystrix africaeaustralis), is a species of Old World porcupine native to central and southern Africa. It occurs in the Amazon rainforest east of the Madeira River and south of the Amazon River. In Oregon, the porcupine is found throughout most of the state east of the Cascade Range. When ground dens are not available, porcupines choose trees to rest in. The Bahia porcupine, Coendou insidiosus, is a New World porcupine species in the family... Black Dwarf ​Porcupine​. It is of the best quality among all the different grade category of porcupine bezoar stone and hence it is easy difficult to see why it is the most expensive type of porcupine bezoar dates . They are vegetarians. The smallest porcupine is a dwarf porcupine, inhabiting the lands of Brazil, Bahia. Porcupines are usually broken up into two categories -- Old World or New World (Hystricidae or Erethizontidae). They have a short tail and gray brown quills and feed on fruits, ant pupae, vegetables and roots. The animal has long, curved front claws which also aid in climbing. Current bird and wildlife viewing opportunities. The two families of porcupines are quite different, and although both belong to the Hystricognathibranch of the v… They have long claws to help them climb on tree trunks and also small branches. The Andean porcupine (Coendou quichua) is a species of rodent in the family Erethizontidae. The black dwarf porcupine, also known as Koopman's porcupine, Coendou nycthemera, is a porcupine species from the New World porcupine family endemic to northern Brazil. The North American porcupine can live for 23 years, while South America's prehensile-tailed porcupine can go four years longer. It is native to southern Asia and the Middle East. Porcupines are a type of rodent. All species are equipped with defensive spines, which protect them from predators. Porcupines weigh about 12 to 35 pounds and are rounded and large. Activity is mostly nocturnal or crepuscular, but those feeding in trees may be observed at any time as they usually do not retire to dens during the daylight hours. Porcupines are the third largest rodent on the planet. Porcupine. The black dwarf porcupine, also known as Koopman's porcupine, Coendou nycthemera, is a... Brown … The thick-spined porcupine (Hystrix crassispinis) is a species of rodent in the family Hystricidae. The Bahia porcupine, Coendou insidiosus, is a New World porcupine species in the family Erethizontidae endemic to the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil. Different trees are chosen for resting than for feeding. Porcupine attains its greatest abundance in mixed coniferous and hardwood forests. The stylized porcupine pictured here is one such representation. Porcupines vary in size considerably: Rothschild's porcupine of South America weighs less than a kilogram (2.2 lb); the crested porcupine found in Italy, North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa can grow to well over 27 kg (60 lb). The Santa Marta porcupine (Coendou sanctamartae) is a rodent in the family Erethizontidae. There are 29 species of porcupines classified in eight genera. 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE There are 11 species, in three genera, of Old World porcupines in the Hystricidae family. The quills are scattered among much … What are the natural predators of porcupines. Beginning March 23, all ODFW offices will be closed to visitors. Porcupines will spend winter in dens, usually rock dens where available. The front feet have four toes, the rear feet five; all have strong, curved claws. The Philippine porcupine, Indonesian porcupine, or Palawan porcupine (Hystrix pumila) is a species of rodent in the family Hystricidae (Old World porcupines) endemic to the island of Palawan in the Philippines. As soon as the quills are dry, a new-born porcupine can defend itself from some predators. Porcupine is a spine-covered mammal belonging in the Order: Rodentia. Common porcupine. Most are slow-moving, but some varieties in the Americas are agile climbers. It is found in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Mexico, Nicaragua and Belize. Porcupines have r… Porcupines are strict herbivores and virtually all species of trees found within a porcupine’s range are eaten. Most are dark colored, with lighter colored spines or spine tips. Genus Echinoprocta (stump-tailed porcupine) 1 Colombian species. Other major reason is … A porcupine has three types of hair: Underfur - This is the bottom layer, comprised of heavy, dark hair that keeps the animal warm. Types of Porcupines Bahia ​Porcupine​. Growth is slow, but the porcupine matures in its second fall and can look forward to a life span of up to ten years in the wild unless a person or some other predator kills it. They are both very similar in appearance. Fossils dating to the Oligocene Epoch (33.7 million to 23.8 million years ago). Porcupines are the thi largest rodents in the world, and the second largest in North America. There is no mistaking what you are seeing when a Porcupine comes into view. Main Phone (503) 947-6000 Porcupine. A fully grown adult weighs in the region of 2 kg (4 lb). These large rodents are known to fight off enormous predators, and they feast on plants, shrubs and trees throughout the year. The Paraguaian hairy dwarf porcupine, Coendou spinosus, is a South American porcupine species from the family Erethizontidae. They slowly evolved and quickly migrated throughout North and South America. nov. Three subspecies are extant in South and Southeast Asia. Porcupines make a variety of vocalizations and sounds with the teeth, some which can be heard at considerable distance. The tail can be another 8 to 10 inches. Blood porcupine gallstone (date ) stones are usually found in fully mature porcupine and is less readily available. The quills are scattered among much longer, course guard hairs; the underfur is woolly. Visit the ODFW's agency site. It inhabits tropical forests at elevations up to 1500 m. The brown hairy dwarf porcupine (Coendou vestitus) is a species of rodent in the family Erethizontidae. Porcupines vary in size considerably depending on species, however, they generally measure 60 – 90 centimetres (25 – 36 inches) in length (excluding tail which measures 20 – 25 centimetres (8 – 10 inches)) and weigh between 5 – 16 kilograms (12 – 35 pounds). Although the young porcupine suckles for a short time – three to seven weeks – it begins eating vegetation shortly after birth and soon is on its own. In Oregon, there is only one, the common porcupine.Â. Old World porcupines inhabit Africa and Asia, while New World porcupines are primarily found in the Americas. Quills used in defense are replaced commencing about 10-42 days after loss. Family Hystricidae (Old World porcupines) 11 species in 3 genera. The common porcupine is a large, short-legged rodent with up to 30,000 bare-tipped quills (modified hairs) covering the upper parts of the body and the dorsal and lateral surfaces of the tail. Do you want to enter your opinion about a specific issue into the public record? They seemingly are intelligent and are able to learn quickly; they have good memories and especially remember being mistreated. All porcupines have a snout, slow, heavy form and a spiny coat. Thirty million years ago, porcupines traveled across the Atlantic Ocean from Africa to Brazil. A porcupine is any of 58 species of rodents belonging to the families Erethizontidae (genera: Coendou, Erethizon, and Chaetomys) or Hystricidae (genera: Atherurus, Hystrix, and Trichys). The largest porcupine is the African Porcupine which can weigh over 20 kilograms (44 pounds). Depending on where you live, it may be illegal to keep some species of porcupines. They are broken down into two types of porcupines, which are Old World and New World porcupines. Updated weekly by wildlife biologists throughout the state. The synonyms of this species are Atherurus assamensis (Thomas, 1921), and Atherurus macrourus (Thomas, 1921) subspecies assamensis. It's part of the logo for the Free State Project, which actually led to a more organized usage. The quills are arranged in rows across the body, the longest quills are on the rump, the shortest on the face. There are dozens of species of porcupines in the world. The soles are naked. Their most vulnerable spot is the exposed underfur on their stomachs. They serve as a shield, protecting sensitive areas on the back and tail. Description. The overall color of the porcupine is dark brown or blackish. Types of Porcupine. Oh, it's also the symbol for the Libertarian Party of Nevada. Most of them appear to be dark brown to black, however some of the hairs and quills on the backs of porcupines are yellow. It is found in China, India, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. It is known locally as durian or landak. Rothschild's porcupine is a medium sized porcupine with a head-and-body length of between 332 and 420 mm (13.1 and 16.5 in) and a tail length of between 290 and 413 mm (11.4 and 16.3 in). In the wild, their lifespan is around 6 to 8 years, but in captivity they may live up to 12 to 14 years. Today, the North American Porcupine happily ranges from Alaska through Canada and into Mexico. It was formerly sometimes assigned to Sphiggurus, a genus no longer recognized since genetic studies showed it to be polyphyletic. Erethizon dorsatum. Before You Pet A Porcupine: There are 29 species of porcupines and for various reasons not all of them can be kept as pets. Can’t find what you need? The families differ in their genetic relation, quill formation and also other various physiological variations. They all generally have the same diet of plant material. There are many kinds of porcupines in the world and 21 species to be exact. The tails of these rodents also have different lengths, ranging from 20 to 30 centimeters. It is endemic to the Indonesian island of Sumatra, where it is hunted for food. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Some use is made of dens in winter. What animals can kill porcupines and how do they do it? Keeping some could turn out to be quite expensive in the long run. We report the discovery of a new species of Coendou (Rodentia, Erethizontidae), here designated Coendou speratus sp. Seen here, the libertarian porcupine icon designed by Kevin Breen in 2006 mimics the Republican Elephant and Democratic Donkey. Guard Hairs - These long, rough strands grow atop the underfur. Porcupines do not hibernate and are active throughout the year. The Cape porcupine (Hystrix africaeaustralis) or South African porcupine, is a species of Old World porcupine native to central and southern Africa. They are well known for their dangerous quills that they can come out easily upon contact with the unknown visitor. They come in different shades: gray, brown and the unusual white. Photograph by Joel Sartore, National Geographic Photo … How much of a threat are porcupines to surrounding animals? The Indian crested porcupine (Hystrix indica), or Indian porcupine, is a large species of hystricomorph rodent (order Rodentia) belonging to the Old World porcupine family, Hystricidae. The Malayan porcupine or Himalayan porcupine (Hystrix brachyura) is a species of rodent in the family Hystricidae. The Mexican hairy dwarf porcupine or Mexican tree porcupine (Coendou mexicanus) is a species of rodent in the family Erethizontidae. head. Contact: odfw.commission@state.or.us This porcupine is little known, but is probably arboreal, nocturnal and solitary like its relatives. During warm months, porcupines eat leaves, buds, nuts, fruit, twigs, and green plants. These rodents are relatively large compared to the rest of the order Rodentia. West of the Cascades, it is found in only a few scattered localities. Types of Porcupines 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. New World porcupines make up the Erethizontidae family, which comprises four genera and 12 species. The Asiatic brush-tailed porcupine (Atherurus macrourus) is a species of rodent in the family Hystricidae. The common porcupine has up to 30,000 quills. In length this porcupine reaches only 38 centimeters. Most carnivores would not pass up a meal of porcupine. Porcupine Quillwork The Parallel or Band Technique contributed by Nancy Fonicello; Quilled Rosette made by Nancy using the Single-quill Parallel-fold or Band Technique. There are three species of porcupines designated as new world: the North American porcupine, the Brazilian porcupine, and the dwarf porcupine. © Copyright 2016–2020 Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife. Cape porcupines are the largest rodents in Africa and also the world's largest porcupines. The nose is pink and large, and the eyes are small. When climbing, the porcupine uses the stiff bristles on the undersurface of the tail as support. The Sumatran porcupine (Hystrix sumatrae) is a species of rodent in the family Hystricidae. The Old World species have spines that are grouped into clusters, while the New World species have spines that are attached to the skin singly. During the winter, they chew through the outer tree bark to eat the tissue-like inner bark. (800) 720-6339, Do you have a question or comment for ODFW? 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