I strongly believe that everyone knows some little things about porcupine. I hope you do too .The porcupine bel...
I strongly believe that everyone knows some little things about porcupine. I hope you do too .The porcupine belongs to the rodent family.The porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) is
best known for the sharp quills that cover its
body. A slow moving, medium-sized mammal,
the porcupine has poor eyesight and relies on
its sense of hearing and smell, as well as its
quills to avoid predators. The quills are a
formidable defense, and only the fisher is consistently quick
and agile enough to avoid them. The quills are barbed, which hinders removal, and they slowly work their
way from the outside of the animal to the inside, and then back out again. An animal hit in a vital area can
die. As a result most wild animals avoid the porcupine. Porcupines are known for their unique
defense mechanism.
In cities, suburbs, and small towns
across Massachusetts, people are
noticing a change in their
neighborhoods. Some think it’s good.
Some think it’s bad. But everybody
seems to be talking about it: more wild
animals are making their homes in and
around people’s yards and houses, in
parks and playgrounds, in business
developments, even right on Main
Street.
Physical description
The North American porcupine is
the second largest of all rodents.
Porcupines have small heads and
chunky bodies and grow up to 25 to
40 inches long from head to tail
(which can grow as long as 8
inches). The male and female are
approximately the same size and
can weigh between 10 and 40
pounds. The front of a porcupine’s
body is covered with long,
yellowish guard hairs, while the
back and tail are covered with up to
30,000 quills which are interspersed
among dark, coarse guard hairs. A
porcupine’s two large front teeth
will continue to grow throughout its
entire life, but will be worn down
from chewing.
Porcupines are slow-moving, nearsighted
animals that would be ill
equipped to avoid being killed by
predators if they did not have their
unique natural defensive system -
quills.
Contrary to popular belief,
porcupines do not thrown their
quills; animals and people must
actually come into contact with the
quills for them to detach and
become embedded.There more than 30,000
quills covering the rear portion of
the porcupine's body are specially
shaped for quick release. The
quills are up to three inches long,
and have small barbs on the end.The porcupine's eyesight
is poor, but it has an excellent
sense of smell and hearing. Like
other rodents, it has two large
front teeth that grow continuously
throughout its life. It can produce
a wide array of vocalizations,
including shrill screeches, coughs,
groans, chatters, whines, and low
grunts.
Behavior
Porcupines are primarily nocturnal
animals and rest during the day on
tree branches; in hollow trees and
logs; in underground burrows or in
crevices found in rocky areas. They
are most commonly found in
coniferous or evergreen forests but
have also been found in deciduous
woodlands and among Creosote in
North American deserts.
Porcupines are strict herbivores and
virtually all species of trees found
within a porcupine's range can be
eaten. During warm months,
porcupines eat leaves, buds, nuts,
fruit, twigs and green plants.
During the winter, they chew
through the outer tree bark to eat
the tissue-like inner bark, called
cambium. Porcupines have been
known to strip or “girdle” tree bark
from both the trunk and upper
limbs, which can sometimes kill the
tree.When confronted, the
porcupine will place his nose
between his front legs and spin
around so that its tail end is facing
the predator. If it is attacked, the
porcupine will strike its assailant
with its tail and the easily
detachable quills.
Porcupines are solitary animals throughout
most of the year, except during the fall breeding
season. During the breeding season, males are
attracted to females by scent. At this time,
males will fight with each other over females
and territory. Encounters between males at salt
sources have been described as “agonistic,”
accompanied by high vocalization. In captivity,
males will commonly kill each other.
Although there is not a lot of information on
porcupine social behavior, there is evidence of
some social interaction. Related males commonly
have overlapping ranges and develop
loosely tied associations with each other.
Encounters between males acquainted with
each other are tolerated, but meetings between
males from different associations result in
fights
Tree problem
Since the porcupines are pure herbivorous,Porcupine feeding activities can influence the
structure and plant species composition of the
forest, especially near their winter dens. Since
porcupines feed close to winter dens and
occupy the same dens each year, trees in these
areas sustain heavy impact year after year.
Although in some situations, this impact may
result in long-term ecological diversification of
forest vegetation. In this scenario, trees preferred
for feeding are suppressed, allowing
unpreferred tree species to compete for existing
soil and water resources. Eventually, this results
in a more diverse plant community structure
Benefits
A more diverse understory plant community can provide better habitat conditions for wildlife species such as ruffed grouse, snowshoe hare, white-tailed deer, moose, morning warbler, yellowthroat, and a variety of other songbirds and small mammals. Porcupines also provide another benefit to forest birds by providing shelter and nest sites in hollow tree trunks. Porcupine feeding activities may expose the tree’s heartwood area where sap and soft inner plant tissue attract insects used by birds as a food source.
Porcupines are interesting animals and play an
important role in ecosystem function. They are
one of few animals easily caught by unarmed
humans for use as an emergency food source.
Their quills have been used for centuries in
various decorations, while their fur is a valuable
commodity for tying fishing flies. They also
provide countless photo opportunities.
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