INDIAN PORCUPINE
Physical measurements & life cycle
Length : 60-70 cm
Weight : 10 kg
Life span : 10-15 years
Breeding : December-March (winter)
Gestation : 2 months
Liteer size : 2-4
* Description
The porcupine is recognized from black and white sharp quills which are modified hais. Its quills are profuse on back.Its eyes are red.
* Food
Chiefly herbivorous. Consumes grams, vegetables,roots and grains.
* Distribution
All over Gujarat.
* Habitat
The porcupine lives in burrows,caves and crevices etc.,preferably near waterhole,cultivation,open forest etc.
* Behaviour
The porcupine has sense of smell. In defense,it walks backward towards an enemy with an intention to stab the enemy by keeping its quills erect. However,it cannot" shoot" the quills contrary to what some people erroneously believe.Burrows have have more than one opening,a king of emergency exit.
* Signs of presence
Pellets (which are usually in three to four cigar-shaped rows),footprints and broken/fallen quills can be indicative.
Porcupine is a rodent. It is a nocturnal animal. The porcupine's tail is covered with short,hollow quills that can rattle when the animal is threatened.when attacked,the Indian porcupine raises its quills and rattles the hollow quills on its tail .It the intruder/predator does not obey this"rattling"threat the porcupine launcupine launches a backwards assault intending to stab its attacker with its quills.
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