Eretizone dorsatum
The porcupine is an herbivore that lives mainly in forested areas, in trees. Porcupines normally eat leaves, twigs, and other green plant. It usually lives by itself, but in the winter, it dens with other porcupines. Porcupines, however, don’t hibernate but rather, sleep through the worst of the weather.
Porcupines are famous for their long, spiky quills. Contrary to popular belief, porcupines cannot shoot their quills. They stay intact until something attacks and touches them. The quills attach themselves to the predator and body heat makes them swell, making it hard for them to pull it out. The quills cover the entire body, except for the stomach. The only way for a predator to kill them is for them to somehow flip it without touching them.
Porcupines only have one offspring at a time. Luckily, the quills are soft and harmless at the time of birth. Within an hour, they harden and serve as protection. Soon, the young is able to follow his mother, but can’t climb trees yet. Babies eat the vegetation just like the mother, but still nurse a little for 3 and a half months. If it’s a female, it will take 12 months to sexually mature, if it’s a male, 24 months. Then the cycle starts all over again!
The porcupine is an herbivore that lives mainly in forested areas, in trees. Porcupines normally eat leaves, twigs, and other green plant. It usually lives by itself, but in the winter, it dens with other porcupines. Porcupines, however, don’t hibernate but rather, sleep through the worst of the weather.
Porcupines are famous for their long, spiky quills. Contrary to popular belief, porcupines cannot shoot their quills. They stay intact until something attacks and touches them. The quills attach themselves to the predator and body heat makes them swell, making it hard for them to pull it out. The quills cover the entire body, except for the stomach. The only way for a predator to kill them is for them to somehow flip it without touching them.
Porcupines only have one offspring at a time. Luckily, the quills are soft and harmless at the time of birth. Within an hour, they harden and serve as protection. Soon, the young is able to follow his mother, but can’t climb trees yet. Babies eat the vegetation just like the mother, but still nurse a little for 3 and a half months. If it’s a female, it will take 12 months to sexually mature, if it’s a male, 24 months. Then the cycle starts all over again!
1 comment:
Great information about the social behavior of the porcupine and their anti-predator adaptation. However, to add the needed depth, expand on the physical characteristics of the porcupine (size, weight, coloration) and other adaptations that allow it to be successful in its niche. Also, keep looking out for ways to incorporate the ecological terms!
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