New World Porcupines (Erethizontidae)

 

The Erethizontidae are large, mainly arboreal rodents (3-4 genera and 12-16 species) widely distributed in the Americas, from Alaska to northern Argentina. They inhabit tropical, subtropical, temperate and boreal forests; one species also occurs in grassland and deserts where at least some trees are present. These are stout animals, with blunt, rounded heads, short or prehensile tails, and coats of thick quills, mixed with long hairs. The body length varies from 30 to 86 cm between species; weight 0.9-12 kg. New World Porcupines feed on fruits, seeds, nuts, bark, grasses, tubers, roots, and leaves, including conifer needles. They den in tree cavities, rock crevices, root tangles, and caves.

 

		North American Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum)
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