New World porcupines spend most of their time alone or in pairs moving through the trees. They may den in tree nests, rock crevices, brush, logs, or in tangled tree roots. All New World porcupines have long, curved claws that are excellent for climbing. Prehensile-tailed porcupines have tails that curl around branches, anchoring them to a tree. All porcupines have a great sense of smell. To make quick work of available food, these herbivores have sharp, chisel-like front teeth.
They tend to forage alone rather than in groups, except for a mother with her young. Old World porcupines eat bark, roots, fruits, and berries. In rural areas, they may eat farmed crops, such as groundnuts, potatoes, pumpkins, and melons. New World porcupines eat pine needles and bark, roots, stems, leaves, berries, meadow grass, seeds, flowers, nuts, aquatic vegetation, fruits, and tubers.
Some take fruit and corn from plantations. The North American porcupine has earned a bad reputation for killing timber and ornamental trees by stripping bark from the trunks. Porcupines may gnaw on bones to sharpen their teeth and to get salt at the same time. Their strong teeth and jaws even help them crack open nuts.
On occasion, porcupines eat insects and small lizards. Porcupines patrol their territory nightly and defend their feeding areas. They may travel outside their home range in pursuit of a mate or in search of a nice salt lick. If two adults are together, it is usually a mated pair or siblings. So, how do porcupines breed without injuring each other? Very carefully, of course!
We ensure the highest standards of wellbeing is given to all our animals. The world's largest land mammals gather in groups and are led by females! It requires them to drink litres of water per day to quench their thirst. They live [ The word rhinoceros is derived through Latin from the Ancient Greek: which is composed of rhino, "nose" and keras, "horn". There are five living species of Rhinoceros. The two African [ The third largest mammals on land are the hippopotamus.
These animals can weigh up to kg. The common hippopotamus lives near rivers, lakes and mangrove swamps. During the day, [ Tigers are as majestic as they appear. The tiger is the largest member of the "big cat" species, as they can weigh up to kg.
Size: Head and body: 25 to 36 inches; tail: 8 to 10 inches. Weight: 12 to 35 pounds. Size relative to a teacup:.
This photo was submitted to Your Shot, our photo community on Instagram. Follow us on Instagram at natgeoyourshot or visit us at natgeo. Share Tweet Email. Go Further. Animals Wild Cities This wild African cat has adapted to life in a big city. Animals This frog mysteriously re-evolved a full set of teeth. Animals Wild Cities Wild parakeets have taken a liking to London.
Animals Wild Cities Morocco has 3 million stray dogs. Meet the people trying to help. Animals Whales eat three times more than previously thought. Environment Planet Possible India bets its energy future on solar—in ways both small and big. Baby porcupines are called porcupettes. Photo: ML Lombard. Think of porcupines as free tree trimmers.
They do eat trees, dropping branches along the way, which in turn provides habitat for other critters. Think of them as free tree pruners. Birds will use vacated porcupine dens, often in hollow trees, once the porcupine has left. An instant birdhouse. And of course, they are prey for other animals such as bobcats, great horned owls and wolves. But how do they eat them with all those quills?
The predator flips the porcupine on its back since its belly has no quills. Learn more. Smithsonian North American Porcupine. Facts About Porcupines , LiveScience. A porcupine group is called a prickle. Your email:. Email: dale weilerwoods. Email: loti weilerwoods. Animals We Support. Wildlife Art.
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