Primary habitats include forests, deserts, and grasslands. However, some species will also live in wetlands and rocky areas. However, some species will also live in wetlands and rocky areas. But, they can occasionally be seen out during the day as well. As one of the largest living rodents, the porcupine can be found in Africa, the Americas and Asia. 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. All Rights Reserved by wanttoknowit.com. [2][3] A regional American name for the animal is "quill-pig". 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.. They can weigh from 4.5 to 13 kg (10 to 28 pounds). They live in forests and deserts, rocky outcrops, and hillsides. They also have a tail that is about 20-25cm (8-10 in.) Porcupines live in forests, rocky outcrops, hillsides and grasslands of the Canada and northern USA. It often climbs trees to find food. [23] The quills have inspired research for such applications as the design of hypodermic needles and surgical staples. These are used as camouflage and as a defence against predators. Since they are nocturnal, most foraging and activity is done during the night hours. There are about 30 species of porcupines and these are loosely categorized as Old World and New world porcupines. 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. Some new world porcupines live in trees, but old world porcupines stay on the ground. [15] The shape of the barbs makes the quills more effective, both for penetrating the skin and remaining in place. Answer. 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. 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). Porcupines have ro… These rodents, which are noticeable from afar, inhabit mostly mountainous terrain, but they can also live in deserts, on plains. Porcupines live in forests but can be found away from tall trees if brush is available. [25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32], This article is about the mammal. In the west they range from Alaska to northern mountains in Mexico. If you have ever wondered where this unique animal lives, keep reading to find out. Where do porcupines live? The North American porcupine is one of the largest rodents in Alaska, second only to the beaver. Wiki User Answered . Kilimanjaro, as high up as 3,500 meters (11,480 feet). The habitat of most species including forests, hillsides, grassland and deserts. Hi, I'm Tim and I want to welcome you to wanttoknowit.com. A pleasant enough creature when left alone, the porcupine is quick to defend itself at the slightest threat. 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. They are commonly found in coniferous and mixed forested areas, but have adapted to harsh environments such as shrublands and tundra. [8], The African porcupine is not a climber and forages on the ground. Porcupines can be found on rocky areas up to 3,700 m (12,100 ft) high. Home; About Us; Practice Areas; Gallery; Blog; Cases; Contact; where do porcupines live 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. Habitat. long. The North American porcupine can be found in most of Canada and the western United States south to Mexico. Porcupine Habitat. They are generally restricted to temperate and tropical regions. This stout, short-legged mammal is 25 to 31 inches (73-78 cm) long and covered with hair and quills of varying length. When another animal attacks the porcupine, its quills detach, burrowing into Where do porcupines live? Porcupines can be found on rocky areas up to 3,700 m (12,100 ft) high. The main quills may be dyed, and then applied in combination with thread to embellish leather accessories such as knife sheaths and leather bags. Porcupines are known to climb tress at the first sign of danger. When living in the woods and feeding on wild trees, porcupines go unnoticed. Old World porcupines live in Europe, Africa, and Asia; some examples are the North African crested porcupine, African brush-tailed porcupine, and Indian crested porcupine. Porcupines are rodents that are easily recognized by their coat of sharp spines, known as quills. shailendrakala18@gmail.com 0291-2435143 . The habitat of most species including forests, hillsides, grassland and deserts. Porcupines occupy a small range of habitats in tropical and temperate parts of Asia, Southern Europe, Africa, and North and South America. New World porcupines, including the well-studied North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum), live in trees and eat leaves, fruits and bark. The porcupines stomach is the only area not protected by quills. All you need to is to know where they’re active. 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. 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. Some quills can get up to a foot (30 centimeters) long, like those on the Africa's crested porcupine, according to National Geographic. Porcupines are found on the continents of Asia, Europe, Africa, and North and South America. There are about 2 dozen species of porcupines, and these are broken into the Old World porcupines and the New World porcupines. [10], Defensive behaviour displays in a porcupine depend on sight, scent and sound. They are generally nocturnal, but are occasionally active during daylight. 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 Where do porcupines live? The most obvious trait is the long, sharp quills that cover their bodies. They are less strictly nocturnal than their Old World relatives, and generally smaller. In rocky areas, they can be found up to a height of 3,700 meters. 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. This behaviour is often paired with body shivering which is used to further display the dangerous quills. ^ 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. PORCUPINES CAUSE DAMAGE! A porcupine's tail is also able to swing in the direction of the predator. Although completely at home in a tree, the porcupine can adapt to a variety of West Texas habitats. Porcupine are large rodents with coats of sharp and pointy spines, or quills, that protect them against predators. They are large, terrestrial, and strictly nocturnal. For example, their guardhairs are used in the creation of the Native American "porky roach" headdress. They live in wooded areas and can climb trees, where some species spend their entire lives. Where do tree porcupines live? 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. Left alone, the porcupine is the third largest rodents in the United States to! Inches ( 73-78 cm ) long and 5-16 kg ( 12–35 lb ), are... Example, their guardhairs are used in the United States, Canada and Mexico slow, and generally.! 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