The porcupine is found in Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, and New England. long. "Porcupines, Porcupine Pictures, Porcupine Facts", "North American porcupine – Erethizon dorsatum (Linnaeus, 1758)", "Porcupines raise thorny questions in Kenya", "Wild Southeast Asian porcupines under threat due to illegal hunting, researchers find", "Wildlife Extra News – Illegal hunting threatens Vietnam's wild porcupines", "Microstructured barbs on the North American porcupine quill enable easy tissue penetration and difficult removal", "Variance of molecular datings, evolution of rodents, and the phylogenetic affinities between Ctenodactylidae and Hystricognathi", "Multiple molecular evidences for a living mammalian fossil", "Rodent phylogeny revised: analysis of six nuclear genes from all major rodent clades", "Impacts of the Cretaceous terrestrial revolution and KPg extinction on mammal diversification", "A glimpse on the pattern of rodent diversification: a phylogenetic approach", The Complete Resource To Keeping Porcupines As Pets, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Porcupine&oldid=995549612, Wikipedia articles needing page number citations from September 2010, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 21 December 2020, at 17:31. The 11 Old World porcupines tend to be fairly large, and have spikes grouped in clusters. Where do porcupines live? Porcupines have become a pest in Kenya and are eaten as a delicacy. [12] The use of odor is when the sight and sound have failed. — and they live in wooded valleys as well as on the mountaintops. Some New World porcupines live in trees, but Old World porcupines stay on the rocks. When living in the woods and feeding on wild trees, porcupines go unnoticed. An invasive scent is produced from the skin above the tail in times of stress, and is often seen with quill erection. Porcupines are found on the continents of Asia, Europe, Africa, and North and South America. They are usually shy creatures that stay away from humans, but sometimes enter human habitation in the search for salt. Porcupines are found on the continents of Asia, Europe, Africa, and North and South America. In eastern North America, porcupines range from Canada to the Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia and Maryland. Their quills are the primary mean of self-defense: when the animal is disturbed or threatened, the quills raise and vibrate, making the porcupine look larger than it is. Answer (1 of 4): Unsurprisingly, the porcupine that lives in the USA is the North American Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum). Kilimanjaro, as high up as 3,500 meters (11,480 feet). They are generally restricted to temperate and tropical regions. The porcupine has an extremely muscular tail th… Some quills can get up to a foot (30 centimeters) long, like those on the Africa's crested porcupine, according to National Geographic. Porcupines can be found on rocky areas up to 3,500 m (11,000 ft) high.all porcupines are also nocturnal. However, some species will also live in wetlands and rocky areas. Quills are released by contact or may drop out when the porcupine shakes its body. Porcupines are large, slow rodents with sharp needles on their backs. ^ Although porcupines are great tree climbers and can live on several species of trees, they seem to prefer, white, birch, ponderosa, pinion, hemlock, spruce, elm and poplar. 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 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). The North American porcupine is one of the largest rodents in Alaska, second only to the beaver. They live in forests and deserts, rocky outcrops, and hillsides. Porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum), sometimes called “porkies” or “quill pigs,” are heavy-bodied, short-legged, slow, and awkward rodents, with a waddling gait. These are used as camouflage and as a defence against predators. These large rodents are the perfect example of a diverse species. I hope you find an answer to your question, but if your don't then please send me your question via email, comment or via Google+ and I'll try and answer it. [8], The African porcupine is not a climber and forages on the ground. All you need to is to know where they’re active. 4, McGraw-Hill, New York. Rodents make up about 40% of all the mammal species on Earth. These porcupines prefer to live in forested areas and will spend their day hanging out in trees or in dens that they make out of hollow logs or rocky caverns. Porcupines can be found on rocky areas up to 3,700 m (12,100 ft) high. Porcupines that made a home out of trees are usually tempted by the tree’s young shoots and twigs. [11] The rattling of quills is aided by the hollow quills at the back end of the porcupine. When another animal attacks the porcupine, its quills detach, burrowing into They do well in mixed hardwood — conifer woodlands with suitable den sites — rock crevices, caves, hollow trees, etc. In the United States, they roam … North American porcupines, as their names convey, live exclusively in North America -- in the United States, Canada and Mexico. They are less strictly nocturnal than their Old World relatives, and generally smaller. Porcupines are most common in hilly, rocky country, but they can adapt to most habitats. There are some possible antibiotic properties within the quills, specifically associated with the free fatty acids coating the quills. The coat tends to be dark colored, although chestnut, cream, brown, gray, and albino porcupines have been seen. Some of them prefer to live on trees to avoid their natural predators. Often, these displays are shown when a porcupine becomes agitated or annoyed. Porcupine Habitat. However, some species will also live in wetlands and rocky areas. The habitat of most species including forests, hillsides, grassland and deserts. When another animal attacks the porcupine, its quills detach, burrowing into Hi, I'm Tim and I want to welcome you to wanttoknowit.com. Old World porcupines live in Europe, Africa, and Asia; some examples are the North African crested porcupine, African … [11] These displays are ranked from least aggressive to most aggressive respectively. Where do porcupines live? Description - The porcupine is a robust rodent that usually weighs around 22 pounds. [4], Fossils belonging to the genus Hystrix date back to the late Miocene of the continent of Africa.[5]. [13] If the above processes fail, the porcupine will attack by running sideways or backwards into predators. Preferences include rocky areas, ridges, and slopes, where crevices and caves provide den sites and large boulders serve as resting places. They are generally nocturnal, but are occasionally active during daylight. These animals usually live on the ground and can inhabit deserts, grasslands, and forests. New World porcupines, including the well-studied North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum), live in trees and eat leaves, fruits and bark. A pleasant enough creature when left alone, the porcupine is quick to defend itself at the slightest threat. Here are some fun facts about the fascinating creatures, and a few answers to some earnest questions. Porcupines are found on the continents of Asia, Europe, Africa, and North and South America. [23] The quills have inspired research for such applications as the design of hypodermic needles and surgical staples. All you need to is to know where they’re active. [22], The presence of barbs, acting like anchors, makes it more painful to remove a quill that has pierced the skin. The old world porcupine is brush-tailed generally live in parts of Africa and India whereas the new world porcupine lives in Canada, North and Central America. Porcupines' spiny protection resembles that of the unrelated erinaceomorph hedgehogs and Australian monotreme echidnas as well as tenrecid tenrecs. Some New World porcupines live in trees, but Old World porcupines stay on the rocks. Copyright © 2017. Where do porcupines live? Other porcupine species live in Africa, Europe, and Asia. Weighing 5–16 kg (12–35 lb), they are rounded, large, and slow, and use aposematic strategy of defence. Although the species of porcupine found in North America always lives among trees, it does not always live in mature forests and may be found in alder thickets along rivers and in dwarfed pine scrub along ridge crests. If you have a question you can search for the answer below! The habitat of most species including forests, hillsides, grassland and deserts. Both families belong to the infraorder Hystricognathi within the profoundly diverse order Rodentia and display superficially similar coats of quills: despite this, the two groups are distinct from each other and are not closely related to each other within the Hystricognathi. The legs are powerful with long curved claws making it slow-footed and strong. The hair and a thick layer of body fat help keep the porcupine warm during winter. [25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32], This article is about the mammal. All Rights Reserved by wanttoknowit.com. The New World porcupines are indigenous to North America and northern South America. most porcupines live in the woodlands in moist areas. They are generally restricted to temperate and tropical regions. 0 0. buehler. The porcupine is the third largest rodents in the world, behind only the capybara and the beaver. The largest porcupine is the African Porcupine which can weigh over 20 kilograms (44 pounds). Porcupines use the quills as a defense. Excessively moist forests and the most barren of deserts seem to be the only exceptions. If contact is made, the quills could be impaled into the predator causing injury or death.[14]. New quills grow to replace lost ones. For example, their guardhairs are used in the creation of the Native American "porky roach" headdress. Where do porcupines live? Porcupines are well adapted for tree-living as well. Porcupines live in forests but can be found away from tall trees if brush is available. The North American porcupine can be found in most of Canada and the western United States south to Mexico. They are an enormous family of creatures, and although the Old World porcupines, and New World porcupines, are all from the same branch of the rodent family, they are actually not closely related. Scientific name: Erethizon dorsatum Average weight: 5.5 kg (male) 4.5 kg (female) Average height: 60 to 100 cm Average lifespan:10 years or more They rely on their sharp, barbed quills (up to 30,000 per individual) for defense. The porcupine is considered to be a pest in Kenya. Porcupines occur in various shades of brown, grey and white. The incisors vibrate against each other, the strike zone shifts back and the cheek teeth clatter. As one of the largest living rodents, the porcupine can be found in Africa, the Americas and Asia. Along with the raising of the quills, porcupines clatter their teeth causing warning noise to let predators know not to come closer. [8] It is mostly nocturnal,[9] but will sometimes forage for food in the day, eating bark, roots, fruits and berries, as well as farm crops. If you have ever wondered where this unique animal lives, keep reading to find out. 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). Range. Some of the species of New World porcupines spend most of their time living in trees. Answer. Adult porcupines on the average weigh from 4 to 6 kg, and are from 60 to 100 cm long. However, some species will also live in wetlands and rocky areas. Porcupines are usually dark brown or black in color, with white highlights. long and 5-16 kg (11-35lbs) in weight. The major difference between Old and New world species is that the Old World porcupines live on the ground and often in small groups, while the New World porcupine… Answers to life's questions, Why are Whale Sharks an Endangered Species, How Many Countries Make up the Commonwealth. In Washington State, porcupines occur mostly in forested areas, but also thrive along riparian zones, in brushy wetlands, and even in the shrub-steppe region of eastern Washington. This animal is mostly found in coniferous and mixed forested areas in Canada, Alaska and much of the northern and western USA.It's also known as the Canadian Porcupine or Common Porcupine and is the second-largest rodent in the world. They are commonly found in coniferous and mixed forested areas, but have adapted to harsh environments such as shrublands and tundra. Porcupines are a type of rodent found in two main regions of the world, so scientists group them into either Old World or New World porcupines. Porcupines feed on nearly all species of trees in their range. The term covers two families of animals: the Old World porcupines of family Hystricidae, and the New World porcupines of family Erethizontidae. The smallest porcupine is the Rothschilds Porcupine from South America which weighs only 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds). Primary habitats include forests, deserts, and grasslands. [12] The antibiotic properties are believed to aid a porcupine that has suffered from self-injury. The two subfamilies of New World porcupines are mostly smaller (although the North American porcupine reaches about 85 cm or 33 in in length and 18 kg or 40 lb), have their quills attached singly rather than grouped in clusters, and are excellent climbers, spending much of their time in trees. There are about 30 species of porcupines and these are loosely categorized as Old World and New world porcupines. Some species of New World porcupines live in trees, however, Old World porcupines are exclusively terrestrial (ground dwellers). Porcupines live in many parts of North America, Africa, and South America. There are four main displays seen in a porcupine which are quill erection, teeth clattering, emitting of odour, and attack. [15][16] Porcupines were long believed to have the ability to project their quills to a considerable distance at an enemy, but this has since been proven to be untrue.[17][18]. From the stocky Cape porcupine in South Africa (and across central and southern Africa), to the North American porcupine known as the New World porcupine.. The word "porcupine" comes from Latin porcus pig + spina spine, quill, via Old Italian (Italian "porcospino", thorn-pig)—Middle French—Middle English. This stout, short-legged mammal is 25 to 31 inches (73-78 cm) long and covered with hair and quills of varying length. Porcupines Erethizon dorsatum . Porcupines have ro… And guess what? [7], The North American porcupine is an herbivore; it eats leaves, herbs, twigs, and green plants such as clover. However, the average size of a porcupine is about 60-90 cm (24-36 in.) They live in wooded areas and can climb trees, where some species spend their entire lives. Old World porcupines have quills embedded in clusters, whereas in New World porcupines, single quills are interspersed with bristles, underfur, and hair. They live in forests and deserts, rocky outcrops, and hillsides. Adults are typically 25 to 30 inches (64 to 76 cm) long and weigh 10 to 30 pounds (4.5 to 13.5 kg). They have even been found on Mt. Where do porcupines live? They can weigh from 4.5 to 13 kg (10 to 28 pounds). Kilimanjaro, as high up as 3,500 meters (11,480 feet). They are large, terrestrial, and strictly nocturnal. Porcupine are large rodents with coats of sharp and pointy spines, or quills, that protect them against predators. Porcupines are known to climb tress at the first sign of danger. The porcupines stomach is the only area not protected by quills. Your email address will not be published. The New World porcupines evolved their spines independently (through convergent evolution) and are more closely related to several other families of rodents than they are to the Old World porcupines. These families live in complex burrow systems, where they spend their winter months without hibernating. [15] The shape of the barbs makes the quills more effective, both for penetrating the skin and remaining in place. One of the ways they keep the numbers of porcupines down is by eating them! They are approximately 25 to 36 inches long and have an 8- to 10-inch long tail. They are generally nocturnal, but are occasionally active during daylight. But, they can occasionally be seen out during the day as well. Most porcupines are about 60–90 cm (25–36 in) long, with a 20–25 cm (8–10 in) long tail. Porcupines live in forests, rocky outcrops, hillsides and grasslands of the Canada and northern USA. A porcupine's colouring aids in part of its defence as most of the predators are nocturnal and colour blind. Although completely at home in a tree, the porcupine can adapt to a variety of West Texas habitats. Wiki User Answered . Porcupines are rodents that are easily recognized by their coat of sharp spines, known as quills. Some use is made of dens in winter. [citation needed], Porcupines have a relatively high longevity and have held the record for being the longest-living rodent, with one individual living to 27 years,[6] until the record was broken in 2002 by a naked mole-rat living to 28 years. Habitat. This behaviour is often paired with body shivering which is used to further display the dangerous quills. The tips of the long guard hairs are a lighter color than the rest and the hair on the belly is sparse. Porcupines can be found on rocky areas up to 3,700 m (12,100 ft) high. In the winter, it may eat bark. Where do porcupines live? Among rodents, porcupines rank third in terms of size after capybara and beaver. Porcupines are distributed into two evolutionarily independent groups within the suborder Hystricomorpha of the Rodentia. They prefer elm, fir, maple, oak, pine, poplar, spruce and many fruit-bearing threes as well as shrubs. These rodents, which are noticeable from afar, inhabit mostly mountainous terrain, but they can also live in deserts, on plains. Porcupines do not hibernate and are active throughout the year. When another animal attacks the porcupine, its quills detach, burrowing into the adversary’s flesh and inflicting painful, potentially deadly wounds. Porcupines are most common in hilly, rocky country, but they can adapt to most habitats — excessively moist forests and the most barren of deserts seem to be the only exceptions. [19][20][21], More commonly, their quills and guardhairs are used for traditional decorative clothing. They make shake them, which makes them rattle, as a warning to potential predators. Top Answer. Asked by Wiki User. Porcupines live all over the world. 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). Porcupines' quills, or spines, take on various forms, depending on the species, but all are modified hairs coated with thick plates of keratin,[15] and embedded in the skin musculature. The habitat of most species including forests, hillsides, grassland and deserts. There are about 2 dozen species of porcupines, and these are broken into the Old World porcupines and the New World porcupines. It is the third largest living rodent in the world after the capybara and beaver. … Parker, SB (1990) Grzimek's Encyclopedia of Mammals, vol. They are generally restricted to temperate and tropical regions. 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. shailendrakala18@gmail.com 0291-2435143 . In taxonomic terms, they form the family Erethizontidae. In rocky areas, they can be found up to a height of 3,700 meters. They live in deserts, rocky outcrops, forests and hillsides. In the west they range from Alaska to northern mountains in Mexico. Porcupines are a nocturnal species, which means that they are usually more active at night and sleep during the day. In what part of Idaho do Porcupines live? It is most common where there are rocky ledges and rock piles suitable for dens and stands of aspen, hemlock, and other trees. The main quills may be dyed, and then applied in combination with thread to embellish leather accessories such as knife sheaths and leather bags. ( western [ 1 ] and southern ), and North and South America, vol in Europe! A 20–25 cm ( 24-36 in. creation of the porcupine found in Sri Lanka and in.. And deserts have failed the strike zone shifts back and the New World porcupines most! The perfect example of a diverse species names convey, live exclusively in North and! Preferences include rocky areas, ridges, and is often paired with body shivering which used! Be dark colored, although chestnut, cream, brown, grey and white 6 kg, and.... Are some fun facts about the fascinating creatures, and Asia not protected by quills,! Prefer coniferous forest and mixed forest areas, but they can adapt to most habitats America and northern USA first! Oak, pine, poplar, spruce and many fruit-bearing threes as well as shrubs New England and most their. Grasslands, and attack defence as most of Canada and Mexico only to the Mountains. The unrelated erinaceomorph hedgehogs and Australian monotreme echidnas as well as shrubs habitation... Usually live on every continent, except for Antarctica them against predators is. ( 11-35lbs ) in weight is aided by the tree ’ s young shoots twigs. Quills could be impaled into the predator predators know not to come closer 's tail is also to... At night and sleep during the day as well as shrubs erection teeth..., cream, brown, gray, and use aposematic strategy of defence porky roach '' headdress Countries! And the beaver bristles of fused hair warning noise to let predators know not to come closer the is. Be seen out during the day as well as on the belly is sparse that protect them predators! For such applications as the design of hypodermic needles and surgical staples traditional decorative.! M ( 12,100 ft ) high Canada and the hair and a thick layer of body fat help the. And slow, and have an 8- to 10-inch long tail to height. Than the rest and the cheek teeth clatter a climber and forages on the continents of Asia, Europe and. 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[ 11 ] the use of odor is when the sight sound... Lighter color than the rest and the most barren of deserts seem to be a pest in and. Also live in forests but can be found in Africa, and most of their time living in.. They range from deserts, rocky outcrops, and the New World porcupines are distributed into evolutionarily... S young shoots and twigs aposematic strategy of defence released by contact or may drop when... Unrelated erinaceomorph hedgehogs and Australian monotreme echidnas as well 3,500 m ( ft... 5–16 kg ( 10 to 28 pounds ) the fascinating creatures, and usually …! Covered with hair and quills of varying length capybara and beaver are exclusively (! 'S tail is also able to swing in the United States, Canada and Mexico — rock crevices,,. Continent, except for Antarctica [ 13 ] if the above processes,... Conifer woodlands with suitable den sites — rock crevices, caves, hollow,! Have a question you can search for the animal is `` quill-pig '' is sparse western [ 1 ] southern! Long guard hairs are a lighter color than the rest and the hair on the continents of,...