The spiky porcupine

Porcupines are rodents whose bodies are covered with quills or thorns. These protect themfrom predators. Though they have quills, porcupines have soft brown hair on their backsides and bellies.

Normally these quills lie flat on a porcupine and only rise when it’s threatened. When the quills on a porcupine’s body are plucked out, new ones grow to replace them.

These spiky animals have small heads with small eyes, ears, strong bright orange teeth and almost no neck. Porcupines have large flat paws on their short legs that help them to climb.

Small family groups of about eight porcupines live together to ensure protection. They are very good climbers and spend much of their time in trees.

Some even have gripping tails that help them to climb. They feed on the tree bark, branches, fruits, leaves and buds. Female porcupines give birth to young babies with soft quill.

These harden within a few days. These cute baby porcupines are called porcupeanuts.  What’s interesting about these porcupeanuts is that they are so brave.

They are ready to live on their own at only two months of age. Porcupine species are found in Africa, Europe, and Asia. They spend the day sleeping in hollow logs, rocks or up in trees.

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