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This article is about the rodent mammal. For other uses, see Porcupine (disambiguation).
Porcupines
North American Porcupine
North American Porcupine
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Suborder: Hystricomorpha
General

Family Erethizontidae

Coendou
Sphiggurus
Erethizon
Echinoprocta
Chaetomys

Family Hystricidae

Atherurus
Hystrix
Thecurus
Trichys

Porcupines are rodents with a coat of sharp spines, or quills, that defend them from predators. Chordates ( Phylum Chordata) are a group of Animals that includes the Vertebrates together with several closely related Invertebrates Mammals ( class Mammalia) are a class of Vertebrate Animals characterized by the presence of Sweat glands, including sweat glands Rodentia is an order of Mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously-growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must The term Hystricomorpha has had many definitions throughout its history The New World porcupines, or Erethizontidae, are large arboreal Rodents distinguished by the spiny covering from which they take their name The prehensile-tailed porcupines or Coendous (genus Coendou) are a group of Arboreal Porcupine found in Central and South America Sphiggurus is a genus of New World porcupine. It contains the following species Sphiggurus ichillus - Streaked Dwarf Porcupine The North American Porcupine ( Erethizon dorsatum) also known as Canadian Porcupine or Common Porcupine, is a large rodent in the New World porcupine UserPolbot. -->The Stump-tailed Porcupine ( Echinoprocta rufescens) is a species of Rodent in the The Old World porcupines, or Hystricidae, are large terrestrial Rodents distinguished by the spiny covering from which they take their name The brush-tailed porcupines are a group of Old World porcupines in the genus Atherurus. Hystrix is also a synonym for the plant genus Elymus L Hystrix is a genus of Porcupine that contains what are the best known UserPolbot. -->The Long-tailed Porcupine ( Trichys fasciculata) is a species of Rodent in the Hystricidae Rodentia is an order of Mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously-growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must They are endemic in both the Old World and the New World. The Old World consists of those parts of Earth known to Europeans Asians and Africans in the 15th century The New World is one of the names used for the non-Eurasian/non-African parts of the Earth specifically the Americas and Australia. After the capybara and the beaver, Porcupines are the third largest of the rodents. Capybara ( Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) also known as capibara, chigüire in Venezuela chigüiro, carpincho Beavers are two primarily nocturnal semi-aquatic species of Rodent, one native to North America and one to Europe Most porcupines are about 25-36 inches (60-90 cm) long, with an 8-10 inch (20-25 cm) long tail. Weighing between 12-35 pounds (5-16 kg), they are rounded, large and slow. Porcupines come in various shades of brown, grey, and the unusual white. The name "porcupine" comes from Middle French porc d'épine "thorny pig". Middle French (le moyen français is a historical division of the French language which covers the period from (roughly 1340 to 1611. Porcupines' spiny protection resembles that of the distantly related Erinaceomorph hedgehogs and more distantly related Monotreme Echidnas. Erinaceidae is the only living family in the order of the Erinaceomorpha. A hedgehog is any of the small spiny Mammals of the Subfamily Erinaceinae and the order Erinaceomorpha. Monotremes (from the Greek monos 'single' + trema 'hole' referring to the Cloaca) are Mammals that lay eggs ( Prototheria) instead Echidnas (ɨˈkɪdnə also known as spiny anteaters, are four extant Mammal species belonging to the Tachyglossidae family of the

Contents

Species

A porcupine is any of 27 species of rodent belonging to the families Erethizontidae or Hystricidae. In Biology, a species is one of the basic units of Biological classification and a Taxonomic rank. Rodentia is an order of Mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously-growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must The New World porcupines, or Erethizontidae, are large arboreal Rodents distinguished by the spiny covering from which they take their name The Old World porcupines, or Hystricidae, are large terrestrial Rodents distinguished by the spiny covering from which they take their name All defend themselves with hair modified into sharp spines.

Porcupines vary in size considerably: Rothschild's Porcupine of South America weighs less than a kilogram (2. UserPolbot. --> Rothschild's Porcupine ( Coendou rothschildi) is a species of Rodent in the Erethizontidae South America is a Continent of the Americas, situated entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a 2 pounds); the African Porcupine can grow to well over 20 kilograms (44 pounds). The Crested Porcupine, also known as the European Porcupine, African Porcupine, or North African crested porcupine ( Hystrix cristata) is

The two families of porcupines are quite different and although both belong to the Hystricognathi branch of the vast order Rodentia, they are not closely related. Anatomy Hystricognathi is an Infraorder of Rodents Hystricognaths are distinguished from other rodents by the Bone structure of their Rodentia is an order of Mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously-growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must .

The eleven Old World porcupines are almost exclusively terrestrial, tend to be fairly large, and have quills that are grouped in clusters. The Old World porcupines, or Hystricidae, are large terrestrial Rodents distinguished by the spiny covering from which they take their name They separated from the other hystricognaths about 30 million years ago, much earlier than the New World porcupines. Anatomy Hystricognathi is an Infraorder of Rodents Hystricognaths are distinguished from other rodents by the Bone structure of their

Old World porcupine
Old World porcupine

The twelve New World porcupines are mostly smaller (although the North American Porcupine reaches about 85 cm/33 in in length and 18 kg/40 lb), have their quills attached singly rather than grouped in clusters, and are excellent climbers, spending much of their time in trees. The New World porcupines, or Erethizontidae, are large arboreal Rodents distinguished by the spiny covering from which they take their name The North American Porcupine ( Erethizon dorsatum) also known as Canadian Porcupine or Common Porcupine, is a large rodent in the New World porcupine The New World porcupines evolved their spines independently (through convergent evolution) and are more closely related to several other families of rodent than they are to the Old World porcupines. Convergent evolution describes the acquisition of the same biological trait in unrelated lineages

Quills

A porcupine eating grass and clovers at dusk.
A porcupine eating grass and clovers at dusk.

Porcupines' quills or spines take on various forms, depending on the species, but all are modified hairs coated with thick plates of keratin, and they are embedded in the skin musculature. Keratins are a family of fibrous structural proteins; tough and insoluble they form the hard but nonmineralized structures found in Reptiles Birds The skin is the outer covering of living tissue of an animal (or plant Old World porcupines (Hystricidae) have quills embedded in clusters, whereas in New World porcupines (Erethizontidae) single quills are interspersed with bristles, underfur, and hair.

Porcupine quills are as sharp as needles, detach very easily, and will remain embedded in an attacker. Unlike needles, however, the quills of New World porcupines have microscopic, backwards-facing barbs on the tip that catch on the skin making them difficult and painful to extract, though they must be removed. Quills are about 75 millimetres (3. 0 in) long and 2 millimetres (0. 079 in) wide. If a quill becomes lodged in the tissues of a would-be attacker, the barbs act to pull the quill further into the tissues with the normal muscle movements of the attacker, moving up to several millimeters in a day. Predators have been known to die as a result of quill penetration and infection. Quills are still capable of penetrating animals and humans even after death. [1]

Habitats

Porcupines occupy a wide range of habitats in tropical and temperate parts of Asia, Italy, Africa, and North and South America. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest South America is a Continent of the Americas, situated entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a Porcupines live in forests, deserts, rocky outcrops, hillsides and grasslands. Some new world porcupines live in trees, but old world porcupines stay on the ground. Porcupines found on rocky areas can be up to 3,500 metres high.

A porcupine foraging for grubs in the grass.
A porcupine foraging for grubs in the grass.

Salt licks

Porcupines in search of salt sometimes encroach on human habitats, eating plywood cured with sodium nitrate,[2] certain paints, and tool handles, footwear, clothes and other items that have been coated in salty sweat. For sodium chloride in the diet see Salt. Sodium chloride, also known as common salt, table salt, or Halite, is a Plywood is a type of Engineered board made from thin sheets of Wood, called plies or veneers Sodium nitrate is the Chemical compound with the formula NaNO3 Porcupines are attracted to roads in areas where rock salt is used to melt ice and snow, and are known to gnaw on vehicle tires or wiring coated in road salt. Salt licks placed nearby can prevent porcupines from injuring themselves. A salt lick is a Salt deposit that animals regularly lick In an ecosystem salt/mineral licks sometimes occur naturally providing the Sodium, Calcium

Natural sources of salt consumed by porcupines include varieties of salt-rich plants (such as yellow water lily and aquatic liverwort), fresh animal bones, outer tree bark, mud in salt-rich soils, and objects impregnated with urine. Urine is a liquid waste product of the body secreted by the Kidneys by a process of filtration from Blood and Excreted through the Urethra. [3]

Porcupines as food

In parts of Africa and Europe, porcupines are eaten as a form of bushmeat. Bushmeat ( Calque from the French viande de brousse) is the term commonly used for Meat of terrestrial wild animals killed for Porcupine meat is also appreciated in some regions of Italy and Vietnam. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest Vietnam (ˌviːɛtˈnɑːm Việt Nam) officially

Etymology and Mythology



Order Rodentia

References

  1. ^ North American porcupines. Rodentia is an order of Mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously-growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must The term Hystricomorpha has had many definitions throughout its history Anatomy Hystricognathi is an Infraorder of Rodents Hystricognaths are distinguished from other rodents by the Bone structure of their The Old World porcupines, or Hystricidae, are large terrestrial Rodents distinguished by the spiny covering from which they take their name The African Brush-Tailed Porcupine ( Atherurus africanus) is a species of Rat -like Old World porcupine called " Brush-tailed porcupines UserPolbot. -->The Asiatic Brush-tailed Porcupine ( Atherurus macrourus) is a species of Rodent in the The Crested Porcupine, also known as the European Porcupine, African Porcupine, or North African crested porcupine ( Hystrix cristata) is The Cape Porcupine or South African Porcupine, Hystrix africaeaustralis, is a species of Old World porcupine. The Himalayan or Chinese Porcupine ( Hystrix hodgsoni) is a species of Porcupine found in eastern Asia. The Indian Porcupine or Indian Crested Porcupine ( Hystrix indica) is a member of the Old World porcupines It is quite an adaptable Rodent, found UserPolbot. --> The Malayan Porcupine ( Hystrix brachyura) is a species of Rodent in the Hystricidae UserPolbot. -->The Sunda Porcupine ( Hystrix javanica) is a species of Rodent in the Hystricidae UserPolbot. -->The Sumatran Porcupine ( Hystrix sumatrae) is a species of Rodent in the Hystricidae UserPolbot. -->The Palawan Porcupine ( Hystrix pumila) is a Species of Rodent in the UserPolbot. -->The Long-tailed Porcupine ( Trichys fasciculata) is a species of Rodent in the Hystricidae The genus Thryonomys, also know as cane rats, grass cutters, or cutting grass, is a genus of Rodent found throughout Africa The Dassie Rat, Petromus typicus, is an African Rodent found among rocky outcroppings The blesmols, also known as mole rats, or African mole-rats, are burrowing rodents of the family Bathyergidae. Capybara ( Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) also known as capibara, chigüire in Venezuela chigüiro, carpincho The Cavy family ( Caviidae) is a family of Rodents native to South America, and including the domestic Guinea pig, wild cavies and The Dasyproctidae are a family of large South American Rodents comprising the Agoutis and Acouchis Their fur is a reddish or dark colour above The New World porcupines, or Erethizontidae, are large arboreal Rodents distinguished by the spiny covering from which they take their name The Brazilian Porcupine ( Coendou prehensilis) is a Porcupine found in tropical forests in Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela UserPolbot. --> Rothschild's Porcupine ( Coendou rothschildi) is a species of Rodent in the Erethizontidae UserPolbot. -->The Mexican Hairy Dwarf Porcupine or Mexican Tree Porcupine ( Sphiggurus mexicanus) is The Paraguaian Hairy Dwarf Porcupine, Sphiggurus spinosus, is a South American Porcupine Species from the Erethizontidae family UserPolbot. -->The Pallid Hairy Dwarf Porcupine ( Sphiggurus pallidus) was a species of Rodent in the UserPolbot. -->The Brown Hairy Dwarf Porcupine ( Sphiggurus vestitus) is a species of Rodent in the The Orange-spined Hairy Dwarf Porcupine, Sphiggurus villosus, is a Porcupine Species from the Erethizontidae family endemic to southern The North American Porcupine ( Erethizon dorsatum) also known as Canadian Porcupine or Common Porcupine, is a large rodent in the New World porcupine UserPolbot. -->The Stump-tailed Porcupine ( Echinoprocta rufescens) is a species of Rodent in the UserPolbot. -->The Spiny Rat ( Rattus praetor) is a species of Rodent in the Muridae family The family Chinchillidae contains the Chinchillas Viscachas and their Fossil relatives The tuco-tucos are members of a group of rodents that belong to the family Ctenomyidae. The tuco-tucos are members of a group of rodents that belong to the family Ctenomyidae. The coypu, or nutria ( Myocastor coypus) is a large herbivorous, semiaquatic Rodent and the only member of the family Myocastoridae The Octodontidae are a family Rodents restricted to south-western South America. Gundis ( family Ctenodactylidae) are a group of small stocky Rodents found in Africa. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved on 2008-03-19. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1279 - A Mongolian victory in the Battle of Yamen ends the Song Dynasty in China.
  2. ^ Morrisson, Philip; Morrisson, Phyllis. "Wonders: The Needy Porcupine", Scientific American, March 2001. Scientific American is a Popular science magazine, published (first weekly and later monthly since August 28, 1845, making it Retrieved on 2007-06-29. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 512 - A Solar eclipse is recorded by a monastic chronicler in Ireland.  
  3. ^ Olson, Rich; Andrea M. Lewis (May 1999). Porcupine Ecology and Damage Management Techniques for Rural Homeowners. University of Wyoming, Cooperative Extension Service, 4. The University of Wyoming is a Land-grant university located in Laramie, Wyoming, situated on Wyoming's high Laramie Plains, at an elevation Retrieved on 2007-06-29. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 512 - A Solar eclipse is recorded by a monastic chronicler in Ireland.  
  4. ^ Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1823 Edition. Page 501. Google Book Search
  5. ^ Goodwin, Thomas Shepard. Natural History, a Manual of Zoology. New York, 1865. Page 78. Google Book Search

External links

Dictionary

porcupine

-noun

  1. A large rodent with long quills that stand straight up when it is attacked or surprised.
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