There are around 58 species of porcupines in this world, and these spiky mammals are broadly classified into two families, namely, Old World porcupines and New World porcupines.Nocturnal and terrestrial Old World porcupines can be found in the European, Asian, and African continents. New World porcupines, which include around 15 species, are comparatively less nocturnal, climb trees, and live in the wooded areas of North and South America.The North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum), the only species found in the United States, weighs an average of 20 lb (9 kg) and is the second-largest rodent in North America. They have a coat of sharp quills and a small head with tiny ears. In North America, these animals are regionally known as quill-pigs, and that is precisely what their name means.The name ‘porcupine’ is formed by combining the Latin words ‘porcus,’ meaning ‘pig’, and ‘spina’, meaning ’thorns’ or ‘quills’. The sharp porcupine quills that they are famous for are actually hairs that have been modified for self-defense. A baby porcupine, called a porcupette, has soft quills when it is born. The quills harden within a few days. A porcupine has an average of 30,000 piercing quills. The quills are hollow and can be easily detached.A North American porcupine, also known as the Canadian porcupine, is not famous for its speed. The porcupine is a slow-moving animal with short legs, taking its own time. It manages to still survive because it is highly protected by a defense mechanism, that is just as useful as speed.They live for around 6-12 years and can live longer in captivity, even up to 25 years. A male porcupine is called a boar, whereas a female porcupine is called a sow. They usually breed between October to November. Male porcupines fight amongst themselves for the attention of a female porcupine as a part of courtship. After the gestation period of around 210 days, one or sometimes two porcupettes are born. Even though porcupines, in general, have a huge population around the globe, certain porcupine species are given A Vulnerable status.A porcupine sounds like an interesting animal, doesn’t it? If you are interested in this article, after reading this, why not also read can porcupines shoot their quills or is a raccoon a rodent here on Kidadl?Do porcupines damage trees?A porcupine is known to be a clumsy being. They often fall out of trees while trying to reach the buds or tender twigs at the end of the branches, which are difficult to reach but are tasty treats. Yet even with the risk of impaling itself, a porcupine climbs trees regularly to search for food or stay away from predators. The tails of porcupines in these species are about 8-10 in (20.3-25.4 cm) long and aid in climbing trees as they are prehensile, meaning they are adapted to hold on to objects.In the process of feeding themselves, porcupines end up damaging trees. The bark of a tree is the tree’s skin. It is comparable to our own skin in many respects, and, like us, it is necessary for a tree to survive. Removing or destroying the bark is not ideal for trees, and if it is removed the whole way around, other parts will not survive. Porcupines often do that.Try imagining what would happen if an animal were to eat your skin. Scary, isn’t it? Similarly, a tree is damaged when a porcupine feeds on its bark. They remove large chunks of bark from branches and even the stem at times. Exposed trees often are infected and do not survive. The branches that have not been entirely girdled continue growing. The wounds get covered by calluses as well. The damage caused by a porcupine on trees is visible and can be identified by exposed tree trunks with tooth marks and scar tissues that develop over the wounds.What do porcupines eat?Porcupines are herbivores. They feast on fruits, twigs, leaves, green plants like cabbages, and herbs during summer. The cold season makes it difficult for them to forage with their heavy body mass and short legs. So, they feed on tree bark and conifer needles during winter.A North American porcupine can be seen climbing trees to forage, whereas its counterpart belonging to the Old World family forages on the ground. On the ground, they mostly feed on acorns, berries, bark, crops, tree roots, and fruits. Their home range varies according to the availability of food. They are known to have weird cravings. This can at times include wooden canoe paddles or plywood. They prefer high potassium and low sodium. The consequent imbalance of sodium and potassium makes them crave salt. They, therefore, see outhouses, saddles, firearms, and even our feces as a treat.The sweat on the tools we use and the traces of urine in outhouses can invite a porcupine for a feast. In addition to all these, they also eat antlers. They do not eat them off a live deer or elk’s head. Antlers are shed by these animals, and the discarded ones become porcupine food. If you are wondering why a porcupine eats them, it is because antlers are rich in minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and salt. Interestingly, mice and squirrels also chew on antlers.In short, porcupines can become a nuisance when they go in search of their nutrient supplements.Where do porcupines live?These spiky creatures can be found in tropical, temperate, and even tundra habitats across the world. They prefer wild vegetation like forests, woods, grasslands, deserts, mountains, or any rocky terrains. Old World porcupines prefer strictly terrestrial habitats, whereas New World porcupines prefer to live completely in trees.North American porcupines are solitary creatures and spend most of their lives isolated from others, except during the winter when they might share dens. Usually, a porcupine stays in one area. In the northern and western United States, northern Mexico, and Canada, porcupines can be found in the forests, most frequently on trees. They occupy hollow trees, rock crevices, decaying logs in between root tangles, or unoccupied burrows during winter.A porcupine usually stays in close proximity to its den. They also live in pairs during the breeding season, from October to November, other than during winter. Baby porcupines soon leave to live alone on their own. Members of the Old World family are strictly nocturnal, meaning they are active at night. However, New World porcupines, although nocturnal, are active during the day as well.Do porcupines attack humans?Porcupines indeed use their quills as a defense mechanism. However, like many other animals, they don’t attack unless they feel threatened. Therefore, they won’t attack humans without any provocation. They usually keep a distance from human beings like most wild animals. Despite their scary quills, North American porcupines are prey for many predators. Predators like bears, lynx, great horned owls, coyotes, cougars, bobcats, wolves, fishers, wolverines, and mountain lions prey on porcupines.Quills are essential for a porcupine. Normally, the quills are kept flat against the body. When threatened, as the first line of defense, a porcupine warns the enemy by giving off a strong odor. As a second step, if the enemy is unwilling to retreat, it erects its quills and rattles them to warn the enemies of what is to come if they don’t retreat.The quills are barbed at the tip, and once they are embedded into the skin, it is extremely difficult and painful to remove them as the body heat of the animal aids the barbs to expand. So, a quill is easy to go in but difficult to get out.Contrary to popular belief, this dangerous weapon, porcupine quills, cannot be thrown at the enemies or predators by the spiky animal who wields them. It is a myth that they shoot quills. If the initial warning is not enough to protect itself, a porcupine slaps or whacks its predators with its tail. The chaos gives the porcupine a chance to flee the scene before the enemy recovers, which is less likely to be before the slow animal trudges back to safety. The quills are easily released when touched or pushed in.Fishers are, however, co-adapted predators that can attack strategically without getting impaled. Porcupines do not have quills underneath their body. Therefore, by flipping them onto their backs, fishers can prey on porcupines and still escape the wrath of their mighty quills.Even though the sharp quills are not venomous, it is wise not to bother a porcupine or make them feel threatened. The quills, if broken and trapped inside the skin, can lead to infections. Porcupine quills do not come out unless painfully removed and, therefore, if you or your pets have some quills embedded, it is advisable to get them removed by a doctor.Porcupine quills have an antibiotic material that protects quill-pigs as they have a tendency to fall down and impale themselves. Therefore, these quills are not deadly, and you can rest without worrying too much as long as they are removed from your body.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Do porcupines climb trees? Amazing facts about spikey rodents, then why not take a look at are ferrets rodents or are rats nocturnal?
There are around 58 species of porcupines in this world, and these spiky mammals are broadly classified into two families, namely, Old World porcupines and New World porcupines.
