
Porcupine - Wikipedia
The word porcupine comes from the Latin porcus 'pig' + spina 'spine, quill', from Old Italian porcospino, 'thorn-pig'. [1][2] A regional American name for the animal is quill-pig. [3] A baby porcupine is known …
Porcupine | Size, Diet, & Facts | Britannica
Nov 19, 2025 · Porcupine, any of several species of large, herbivorous, quill-bearing rodents active from early evening to dawn. All have short stocky legs, but their tails range from short to long, some being …
Fast Facts: Porcupines - U.S. National Park Service
Nov 5, 2024 · ∙ Basics: The American porcupine is a large rodent with sharp quills. Their fur is brownish-yellow to black. Their quills are usually white or yellow. ∙ Stats: The average weight of an adult …
North American porcupine | Smithsonian's National Zoo and ...
The North American porcupine is one of the largest rodents found in North America, coming second to the North America beaver. They weigh around 20 pounds (9 kilograms) and are 2 to 3 feet (60 to 90 …
Porcupine - Facts, Diet & Habitat Information - Animal Corner
There are, in total, 27 species of porcupine belonging to the families, Erethizontidae or Hystricidae. Porcupines (like monkeys) are divided into New World (Erethizontidae) and Old World (Hystricidae) …
Porcupines | National Geographic
The North American porcupine is the only species that lives in the U.S. and Canada, and is the largest of all porcupines. A single animal may have 30,000 or more quills.
Why are porcupines disappearing? - The Wildlife Society
Dec 18, 2025 · As porcupine numbers decrease across the West, wildlife managers are racing to understand the trend. The creatures faced widespread persecution in the 1900s from the timber …
North American Porcupine | Virginia Living Museum
The North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) is one of the most fascinating mammals in the forests of North America. Known for its quilled coat and slow, deliberate movements, this stout, short …
Porcupine Animal Facts - Erethizon Dorsaum - A-Z Animals
May 27, 2024 · Porcupines are large, terrestrial rodents that are known for their sharp quills. They belong to the rodent family Erethizontidae and are native to North America, South America, and parts …
20 Types of Porcupines: Species, Facts and Photos - TRVST
In this article, we analyze different types of porcupines, highlighting their varied habitats and distinct appearances. Stay tuned for a thorough understanding of the quill pig. Porcupines are rodents …