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''' Porcupines''' are [[rodents]] with a coat of sharp [[Spine (zoology)|spines]], or quills, that defend them from predators. They are endemic in both the [[Old World]] and the [[New World]]. Porcupines are the third largest of the rodents, behind the [[capybara]] and the [[beaver]]. Most porcupines are about {{convert|25|-|36|in|abbr=on}} long, with an {{convert|8|-|10|in|abbr=on}} long tail. Weighing between {{convert|12|-|35|lb|abbr=on}}, they are rounded, large and slow. Porcupines come in various shades of brown, grey, and the unusual white. Porcupines' spiny protection resembles that of the unrelated [[Erinaceomorpha|erinaceomorph]] [[hedgehog]]s and [[monotreme]] [[echidna]]s.
''' Porcupines''' are [[rodents]] with a coat of sharp [[Spine (zoology)|spines]], or quills, that defend them from predators. They use these "barbs" as a defense mechanism by projecting them at their target (often helpless domestic dogs), which are fired from within the skin via tiny boomerang-like devices. Their skin is surprisingly stretchy, and thus can accomplish this function. Being an uncuddly creature, these rodents reside in forested areas, and are often drawn towards areas of high radiation exposure, such as near nuclear power plants. However, they also often turn up on nude beaches where they also experience a lot of exposure, but not of the radiation type. They are endemic in both the [[Old World]] and the [[New World]]. Porcupines are the third largest of the rodents, behind the [[capybara]] and the [[beaver]]. Most porcupines are about {{convert|25|-|36|in|abbr=on}} long, with an {{convert|8|-|10|in|abbr=on}} long tail. Weighing between {{convert|12|-|35|lb|abbr=on}}, they are rounded, large and slow. Porcupines come in various shades of brown, grey, and the unusual white. Porcupines' spiny protection resembles that of the unrelated. [[Erinaceomorpha|erinaceomorph]] [[hedgehog]]s and [[monotreme]] [[echidna]]s.


== Species ==
== Species ==

Revision as of 19:28, 2 June 2009

This article is about the rodent mammal. For other uses, see Porcupine (disambiguation).

Porcupines
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. They use these "barbs" as a defense mechanism by projecting them at their target (often helpless domestic dogs), which are fired from within the skin via tiny boomerang-like devices. Their skin is surprisingly stretchy, and thus can accomplish this function. Being an uncuddly creature, these rodents reside in forested areas, and are often drawn towards areas of high radiation exposure, such as near nuclear power plants. However, they also often turn up on nude beaches where they also experience a lot of exposure, but not of the radiation type. They are endemic in both the Old World and the New World. Porcupines are the third largest of the rodents, behind the capybara and the beaver. Most porcupines are about 25–36 in (640–910 mm) long, with an 8–10 in (200–250 mm) long tail. Weighing between 12–35 lb (5.4–15.9 kg), they are rounded, large and slow. Porcupines come in various shades of brown, grey, and the unusual white. Porcupines' spiny protection resembles that of the unrelated. erinaceomorph hedgehogs and monotreme echidnas.

Species

A porcupine is any of 27 species of rodent belonging to the families Erethizontidae or Hystricidae. Porcupines vary in size considerably: Rothschild's Porcupine of South America weighs less than a kilogram (2.2 lb (1.00 kg)); the African Porcupine can grow to well over 10 kg (22 lb). 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.

The eleven Old World porcupines are almost exclusively terrestrial, tend to be fairly large, and have quills that are grouped in clusters. They are believed to have separated from the other hystricognaths about 30 million years ago, much earlier than the New World porcupines.

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 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. Porcupines have a relatively high longevity and until recently held the record for being the longest living rodent[1], recently broken by the Naked Mole Rat (Heterocephalus glaber)[2]

Quills

A North American 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. 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 porcupines have microscopic, backwards-facing barbs on the tip that catch on the skin making them difficult and painful to extract. Quills are about 75 millimeters (3.0 in) long and 2 millimeters (0.079 in) in width. If a quill becomes lodged in the tissues of an animal, the barbs act to pull the quill further into the tissues with the normal muscle movements of that animal, 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 after death. [3]

Quills are released by contact with them, or they may drop out when the porcupine shakes its body, but cannot be projected at attackers, contrary to popular belief. New quills grow to replace lost ones.

Habitats

Porcupines occupy a wide range of habitats in tropical and temperate parts of Asia, Italy, Africa, and North and South America. 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 can be found on rocky areas up to 3,500 m (11,500 ft) high. Porcupines are nocturnal.

A North American 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,[4] certain paints, and tool handles, footwear, clothes and other items that have been coated in salty sweat. 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.

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 imbued with urine.[5]

Etymology and Mythology

  • The name "porcupine" comes from Middle French porc d'épine which could be translated as "thorny", "spined", or "quilled" "pork" or "pig", hence the nickname "quill pig" for the animal. A group of porcupines is called a "prickle"[6].
  • From ancient times it was believed that porcupines can throw their quills at an enemy. This has long been refuted, being the result of loose quills being shaken free.[7][8]

Order Rodentia

References

  1. ^ Parker, SB (1990) Grzimek's Encyclopedia of Mammals, vol. 4, McGraw-Hill, New York.
  2. ^ Buffenstein, R & Jarvis, JUM (2002) The Naked Mole Rat--A New Record for the Oldest Living Rodent, Sci. Aging Knowl. Environ., 2002(21), p. pe7, DOI: 10.1126/sageke.2002.21.pe7
  3. ^ "North American porcupines". University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved 2008-03-19. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ Morrisson, Philip (2001). "Wonders: The Needy Porcupine". Scientific American. Retrieved 2007-06-29. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  5. ^ Olson, Rich (1999). Porcupine Ecology and Damage Management Techniques for Rural Homeowners (PDF). University of Wyoming, Cooperative Extension Service. p. 4. Retrieved 2007-06-29. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)[citation needed]
  6. ^ Animal Collectives http://www.hintsandthings.com/kennel/collectives.htm
  7. ^ Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1823 Edition. Page 501. Google Book Search
  8. ^ Goodwin, Thomas Shepard. Natural History, a Manual of Zoology. New York, 1865. Page 78. Google Book Search
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