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Indian Crested Porcupine
ExploreMammals
Indian Crested Porcupine
Hystrix indica
The Indian Crested Porcupine is a spiky animal that loves to dig and eat plants. They have sharp quills that help protect them from danger. These friendly creatures are mostly active at night!
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Indian Crested Porcupine is a large rodent covered in long, sharp quills banded with white and brown. It has a distinctive crest of lighter quills on its head and neck, which can be raised. Its face and limbs are typically dark brown to black.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderRodentiaFamilyHystricidaeGenusHystrix
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
3/5 · Moderate
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Baby porcupines are called 'porcupettes' and are born with soft quills!
Porcupines rattle hollow quills on their tail to warn predators about danger!
Their quills are modified hairs and can grow up to 30 centimeters long!
They use their strong teeth to gnaw on bones, getting vital minerals!
Special abilities
Ability
Nocturnal Navigator
Indian Crested Porcupine has excellent low-light vision and hearing that helps them find food and avoid predators in the dark.
Ability
Expert Digger
Indian Crested Porcupine can dig extensive burrows because of its strong claws that help them create safe dens.
Ability
Crest Display
Indian Crested Porcupine can raise its crest and rattle its hollow quills to make itself look bigger and warn off threats.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 78-100 cm
- Weight
- 11-24 kg
- Lifespan
- 10-20 years
- Top Speed
- 15 km/h
- Litter Size
- 1-4
- Gestation
- 112 days
Diet & Feeding
This porcupine munches on roots, fruits, and bark, sometimes even gnawing on bones for minerals!
Primary Foods
- Roots
- Tubers
- Fruits
- Bark
- Bones
- Insects
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Leopard
Panthera pardus
Leopards occasionally prey on porcupines despite their quills.
eaten by
Tiger
Panthera tigris
Tigers are powerful enough to overcome porcupine defenses.
eaten by
Striped Hyena
Hyaena hyaena
Hyenas can kill porcupines, often by flipping them over.
Traits
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Crested
Crested describes animals possessing a prominent tuft of feathers, hair, or skin on their head.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Burrowing
Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Spiky/Thorny
Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
3/5 · Moderate
If you see a porcupine, keep your distance! Their quills can hurt if you touch them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Indian Crested Porcupine?
78-100 cm
How much does Indian Crested Porcupine weigh?
11-24 kg
How long does Indian Crested Porcupine live?
10-20 years
How fast can Indian Crested Porcupine move?
15 km/h
What does Indian Crested Porcupine eat?
This porcupine munches on roots, fruits, and bark, sometimes even gnawing on bones for minerals!
Where is Indian Crested Porcupine usually found?
Grasslands
How does Indian Crested Porcupine hunt?
Foraging
How many babies does Indian Crested Porcupine usually have?
1-4
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