10 interesting facts about porcupine
- Porcupines are rodents with a coat of sharp spines, or quills, that defend them from predators.
- Most porcupines are about 25–36 in (63–91 cm) long, with an 8–10 in (20–25 cm) long tail.
- They have even been found on Mt. Kilimanjaro, as high up as 11,480 feet.
- Porcupines have become a pest in Kenya and are eaten as a delicacy.
- Porcupines are the third largest of the rodents, behind the capybara and the beaver.
- The porcupines found in North and South America are good climbers and spend much of their time in trees.
- The name porcupine comes from Middle French porc d'épine ('spined pig'), hence the nickname "quill pig" for the animal.
- Porcupines occupy a wide range of habitats in tropical and temperate parts of Asia, Italy, Africa, and North and South America.
- Porcupines do not shoot their quills at enemies.A porcupine has about 30,000 quills on its back, sides, and tail.
- The quills do not cover the underside of the porcupine.
