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worldwidewandering says:

Porcupines are rodents with a coat of sharp spines, or quills, that defends them from predators. The porcupines include the fourth largest rodent, after the capybara, mara, and beaver, and are not to be confused with hedgehogs which are insectivores. Most porcupines are about 25-36 inches (60-90 cm) long, with a 8-10 inch (20-25 cm) long tail. Weighing between 12-35 pounds (5-16 kg), they are rounded, large and slow. Porcupines come in various shades of brown, grey, and the unusual white. The name "porcupine" comes from Middle French porc d'espine "thorny pig", hence the nickname "quill pig" for the animal.

Contrary to popular belief, porcupines are not capable of throwing their quills.

In parts of Africa and Arabia, porcupines are eaten as a form of bush meat. Porcupine meat is also appreciated in some regions of Italy and Vietnam.
Old World porcupine
Old World porcupine

Porcupines occupy a wide range of habitats not in tropical and temperate parts of Asia, Italy, Africa and the Americas. Porcupines live in forests, deserts and grasslands. Some live in trees, others stay on the ground.

Porcupines in search of salt sometimes encroach on areas inhabited by people and eat tool handles, clothes and many other items that have been coated in salty sweat...more
Originally posted at 11:30AM, 6 January 2007 PDT (permalink)
worldwidewandering edited this topic 77 months ago.