(617) 522-5055 If these threats fail, the animal releases a pungent odor. They are usually benign creatures but like any other animal, they must be able to defend themselves from predators. Females usually have only one baby at a time. In the spring, the female gives birth to one or two young. In the spring, the female gives birth to one or two young. Baby porcupines are called porcupettes. An average soccer ball is 8.65 inches tall. After two weeks, they start to eat solid food but they continue to nurse for 4 to 5 months. With teeth chattering and tail thrashing, it advances in a backward position. It is a herbivore and a member of the rodent family that feeds on plants and is divided into two classes Hystricidae (Old World porcupines) and Erethizontidae (New World porcupines). The fact that Porcupines cannot « throw » their quills does not detract from the fact that they do possess an impressive number of them. The incisors continue to grow throughout the porcupine's life, and the constant gnawing keeps them worn down to the perfect size. Fast Facts: Porcupine It is also interesting to note that the porcupines are born with developed teeth and can walk within minutes after their birth. Weighing 5–16 kg (12–35 lb), they are rounded, large, and slow, and use aposematic strategy of defence. Similarly, Porcupettes … It will stamp its feet, click its teeth, growl and rattle its quills to warn the enemy away. When all the quills are erect, it makes the animal look very large and dangerous! The front of a porcupine’s body is covered with long, yellowish guard hairs, while the back and tail are covered with up to 30,000 quills which are interspersed among dark, coarse guard hairs. The primary conflict with porcupines occurs when a person or pet ignores the warning signals and ends up with quills lodged in their skin. And just like your hair, old quills fall out as new ones grown in. The porcupines and the beavers teeth are composed of two different materials, the outer,orange colored portion is harder, the whiter inner portion is much softer. The tail can grow as long as 8 inches. (617) 522-7282 Porcupine fish have strong teeth that allow them to break through shells. 5 Fascinating Facts … A group may maintain up to 6 burrows which they move between. When a porcupine senses danger, it lifts its quills into the vertical position. Facts about Porcupine. Mainly eat plants; take bones back to burrow to chew as a source of dietary minerals, or possibly to sharpen teeth (de Graff 1981) Cape porcupine considered an ecosystem engineer because of its foraging habits. An adult porcupine has about 30,000 quills, which cover its entire body except for its belly, face, and paws. If these warnings are ignored and the threat continues, the porcupine whirls around and presents its prickly backside to the enemy. 4. Although they are born with their incisor teeth fully erupted, the remaining teeth begin to appear at 14 days, with the full set of adult teeth present by 25 months. For example, the fact that they are classified as rodents.They are the 3rd largest of all rodents in the world. Sharp rows of teeth in the ray's downward-facing jaws are ideal for breaking the hard, outer shells of its prey. A porcupine uses its large two front teeth for gnawing off bites of food. Bones also give them important minerals, like salt and calcium, to keep them healthy. Many people don’t know much else about them though. This is the world’s largest porcupine – and also by far the largest rodent in Africa. Porcupines are slow-moving, near-sighted animals that would be ill equipped to avoid being killed by predators if they did not have this unique natural defensive system. Due to a diet low in sodium, porcupines may try to satisfy their dietary need for salt by chewing on wooden structures, tools, and other materials used in outdoor work or recreation. The Social Lives of Porcupine Fish Porcupine fish are solitary animals, meaning that they usually live alone. When it is cold the group will huddle in their burrow for warmth. Finally, a porcupine … The common name "porcupine" comes from a Latin phrase that means "quill pig." The spiny tail can also be used like a club, lashing it back and forth. Sometimes it's hard to see the quills on a North American porcupine, because they are hidden by long, soft guard hairs. Porcupines have small heads and chunky bodies and grow up to 25 to 40 inches long from head to tail. Being a rodent, the North American porcupine has large incisor teeth, with which it gnaws its food. They are weaned at around 100 days of age, [13] and grow rapidly for the first twenty weeks, reaching the full adult size, and sexual maturity, at the end of their first year. There are 29 different species of porcupine found in their native habitats around the world. The North American porcupine is the second largest of all rodents. Learn about ways we provide Compassionate Access to Resources, Education and Services. Find yours today. North American porcupines use their large front teeth to satisfy a healthy appetite for wood. Porcupines are the second-largest rodent in North America (the largest is the beaver), and the third-largest overall. The cape porcupine is a nocturnal animal. Porcupines are a type of rodent, and their incisors prove it! When they come in contact with something else, they are easily detached. The porcupette's quills are soft and flexible at birth, but harden after a few days. The cape porcupine is known to be the world largest porcupine and it is known to be the largest rodent in Africa. Car tires and hoses may also be chewed on for their mineral content or road salt coating. Muscles at the base of each spine contract and make the quill stand upright. The average life expectancy of a wild porcupine is 5 to 6 years, while their captive counterparts have been known to live up to 10 years. Each porcupine quill has a greasy coating and at the tip is a small, backward projecting barb that serves to work the quills ever deeper into the flesh. Porcupine Habitat and Facts. The porcupine is a pest - … A characteristic of rodents is that their incisor teeth never stop growing, meaning that they can gnaw on tough plant material their whole lives with no fear that their teeth will eventually wear down. More Info, 293 Second Avenue, Waltham, MA 02451 They spend the h The most popular color? A common myth is that porcupines can "shoot" their quills at a predator; but they can't. Their quills are coated with antibiotics to prevent the porcupine from ge… Porcupine Breeding After a gestation period of three months, a litter of one to four young is born, weighing about 311 grams each. Also, the spines are loosely attached to the skin. They are well known for their dangerous quills that they can come out easily upon contact with the unknown visitor. But if a porcupine feels threatened, it makes the prickly parts easy to see. During the winter, they chew through the outer tree bark to eat the tissue-like inner bark.  Porcupines have been known to strip or “girdle” tree bark from both the trunk and upper limbs with their two front teeth, which can sometimes kill the tree. Donate animal care items to our Adoption Centers! A porcupine’s two large front teeth will continue to grow throughout her entire life. Before a porcupine charges a predator, it stamps its feet and grunts as a warning. However, these dimensions are not as impressive as the sight of the animal itself. Porcupines have a benevolent disposition and, unless provoked to defend themselves, they cause no real harm. (617) 522-7400 See the fact file below for more information on the porcupine or alternatively, you can download our 26-page Porcupine worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment. It mostly eats fruit and tough roots, ... Sharp quills, gnawing teeth, and digging claws help this porcupine avoid predators and find food in the wild. If you are protecting a fruit-bearing tree during the winter, it is important that the band is placed 3 feet above the expected maximum level of snow. The next step is to waggle its tail from side to side. Cape Porcupine facts – The Cape porcupine is believed to grow up to about one meter long and it weighs 20 kilograms. More Info, 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844 Porcupines do not carry any communicable diseases that are of concern to humans, except, as with any mammal, they can contract rabies. The black and white quills make the porcupine resemble a skunk, particularly when it's dark. They have a large, round body and move slowly. Porcupines are large rodents with defensive spines or quills on the body and tail. They are about 25 to 35-inches long, have an 8 to 10-inch tail and weigh between 12 and 35-pounds. (339) 970-0790 More Info, 1577 Falmouth Road, Centerville, MA 02632 They are most commonly found in coniferous or evergreen forests but have also been found in deciduous woodlands and among Creosote in North American deserts. Attaching a motion sensor to a sprinkler will encourage porcupines to move on as well. [email protected] Its proportions are not as attractive as its animal itself. And a bush to avoid! A porcupine’s two large front teeth will continue to grow throughout her entire life. There is no mistaking what you are seeing when a Porcupine comes into view. Porcupines occur in various shades of brown, grey and white. The crested porcupine lives in burrows, and can be found in North and West Africa, and parts of East Africa and the Mediterranean. 1. After just a few months, the porcupette can take care of itself and goes its own way. To protect plastic tubing and hoses, you can use a capsaicin-based “hot sauce” repellent that is registered for use against porcupines. Key Facts & Information Physical Features. Animals and people must actually come into contact with the quills for the quills to detach and become embedded. The male and female are approximately the same size and can weigh between 10 and 40 pounds. This is because the quills on its back are longer and more effective in an attack. (978) 577-5992 Then the little one waddles after its mother and learns to find food. Breeding occurs in the fall or early winter and is followed by a 210 day gestation period (the longest rodent gestation period). North American porcupines are good swimmers. From an online gift to a charitable gift annuity, your contribution will have a significant impact in the lives of thousands of animals. Some porcupines love wood and eat a lot of bark and stems. The porcupine gives off a warning when alarmed – although it could be mistaken for a strange dance. Porcupines might be considered a prickly bunch, but they're pretty cute once you learn more about them. A porcupine uses its large two front teeth for gnawing off bites of food. They are relatively well developed at birth, having teeth and their eyes open. Porcupines gnaw on bones and antlers on the ground to get salt and calcium. Well you're in luck, because here they come. The tail can be another 8 to 10 inches. The smallest porcupine is the Rothschilds Porcupine from South America which weighs only 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds). Join the Animal Action Team to stay up to date on animal issues across the Commonwealth. Here’s our big list of 100 greatest animal facts.This includes some of the most asked, fun, surprising and crazy animal facts from across the animal kingdom. Serious injuries can result when humans or animals come in contact with a porcupine if the eyes, mouth or throat are afflicted. The origin of "porcupine" can be traced back to Old English and French words. Early settlers found the porcupine good to eat. The incisors continue to grow throughout the porcupine's life, and the constant gnawing keeps them worn down to the perfect size. Contrary to popular belief, porcupines are not capable of throwing their quills, but they detach very easily and will remain embedded in … Give a pet the home they deserve. (508) 775-0940 The loudest, deadliest, fastest, largest and most bizarre, are all here in our big animal fact list. In taxonomic terms, they form the family Erethizontidae. The quills are the most recognized and misunderstood porcupine feature. 350 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130 The largest porcupine is the African Porcupine which can weigh over 20 kilograms (44 pounds). 24/7 Emergency & Critical Care in Waltham, Veterinary Clinic for Low Income Pet Owners, Veterinary Clinic for Low-Income Pet Owners and the General Public, Discounted Services for Low-Income Clients, 350 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130, 1577 Falmouth Road, Centerville, MA 02632. 5. Porcupines have r… porcupine quills Other facts . They also have soft quills at birth relieve the mother’s birthing, and dry and harden in the air. The most common porcupine teeth material is bone & horn. The average life expectancy of a wild porcupine is 5 to 6 years, while their captive counterparts have been known to live up to 10 years. Email Us, 350 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130 This will keep the tree from being climbed and the bark stripped. During warm months, porcupines eat leaves, buds, nuts, fruit, twigs, and green plants. As noted however, and contrary to popular belief, they cannot “throw” or “launch” these quills: rather the quills will detach from their body as they come in contact with, for example, a predator. Porcupine rays forage for bottom-dwelling crustaceans, marine worms and fish that burrow into soft, sandy bottoms. Once imbedded, quills cannot easily be pulled out. The Indians used the quills to decorate clothing, moccasins, pouches and birchbark boxes. They also eat nuts, tubers, seeds, grass, leaves, fruit and buds.Though they don't eat meat, porcupines chew on bones to sharpen their teeth. (781) 902-8400 For on-site assistance (check-ins and pick-ups): Their hollow quills help them float. There are 47 porcupine teeth for sale on Etsy, and they cost $45.87 on average. Five Fascinating facts about Cape Porcupines. The capybara, which lives in South America, takes first place. If a human or pet has been “quilled,” it is important to seek immediate medical or veterinary treatment to ensure that the quills are removed completely and correctly. The porcupine is the prickly rodent with rounded bodies surrounded with all spines or quills. View all of our rewards-based training classes available. Most porcupines are about 60–90 cm (25–36 in) long, with a 20–25 cm (8–10 in) long tail. Did you scroll all this way to get facts about porcupine teeth? The quills are modified hollowed hairs tipped with tiny barbs that stick in any animal that attacks them. Porcupines are primarily nocturnal animals who rest during the day in hollow trees and logs, underground burrows or in crevices found in rocky areas. Porcupines are strict herbivores and virtually all species of trees found within a porcupine’s range are eaten. Interesting Facts: • Like other rodents, they have a single pair of sharp, continually growing incisor teeth that they use to gnaw and rip tough plant material. The 300,000 quills that cover a North American porcupine's body are its best defense—but not the way you may think! More Info, 350 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130 If you need to protect trees from being chewed, you can place a metal band around the trunk of the tree, about 3 feet off of the ground. This means they eat mostly vegetation. Dig holes that open up soil surface, allowing water to seep into ground and new plants to grow (Bragg et al. Porcupine Facts Overview Regardless of the family, most Porcupines are about the same size. More Info. 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