Indian crested porcupine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Indian crested porcupine |
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Hystrix
|
| Species: |
indica
|
 |
|
The Indian crested porcupine (Hystrix indica) is a large rodent that lives in parts of Asia and the Middle East. It's part of the Old World porcupine family. Scientists say it's a species of 'Least Concern' because there are still many of them in the wild.
Contents
About the Indian Crested Porcupine
The Indian crested porcupine is a big rodent. It usually weighs between 11 and 18 kg (24 and 40 lb) (about 24 to 40 pounds). Its body can be 70 to 90 cm (28 to 35 in) long, plus a tail of 8 to 10 cm (3.1 to 3.9 in). We don't know how long they live in the wild. However, one porcupine in a zoo lived to be over 27 years old!
What are Porcupine Quills?
These porcupines are covered in special hairs called quills. They have long, thin quills over shorter, thicker ones. The quills are brown or black with white bands. They are made of keratin, which is the same material as your fingernails. Each quill can be raised when the porcupine feels scared.
The longest quills are on its neck and shoulders. They can be up to 51 cm (20 in) (20 inches) long. Shorter, stiffer quills cover its back. At the base of its tail, there are hollow quills. The porcupine can rattle these quills to make a warning sound.
It's a common myth that porcupines can shoot their quills. They can't! Their quills only come off if they get stuck in a predator.
Body Features
The Indian crested porcupine has a strong, sturdy body. This helps it keep warm. It has wide feet with long claws. These claws are perfect for digging burrows. Like all porcupines, it has a great sense of smell. It also has sharp front teeth, like chisels, for chewing.
Where Do Indian Crested Porcupines Live?
Indian crested porcupines live across southwest and central Asia. You can find them in countries like India, China, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. They can live in many different places. They like rocky hillsides best. But they also live in forests, grasslands, and even gardens.
They need places where they can find food and dig burrows. Their northern range is limited by how long the nights are in summer. They need enough dark hours to find food. Recently, they have also been seen in the United Arab Emirates and Russia.
What Do Indian Crested Porcupines Eat?
Indian crested porcupines eat many different things. They mostly eat plants. This includes roots, bulbs, fruits, and grains. Sometimes, they also eat insects or small animals. They can digest low-quality food.
They sometimes chew on bones. This helps them get minerals like calcium. Calcium is important for their quills to grow strong. These porcupines can store a lot of fat. This helps them survive when food is scarce.
Sometimes, they dig up plants in farms and gardens. Because of this, some people see them as a nuisance.
Indian Crested Porcupine Behaviour
Like other Old World porcupines, the Indian crested porcupine is nocturnal. This means they are active at night. They spend about 7 hours every night looking for food. In winter, they try to avoid bright moonlight. This might help them hide from predators. In summer, they don't avoid moonlight as much. They stay closer to their dens instead.
During the day, they usually stay in their dens. Their dens can be natural caves or burrows they dig. They don't climb or jump well. So, they spend most of their time on or under the ground. But they are good swimmers!
How They Defend Themselves
Many animals hunt porcupines. These include big cats, wolves, hyenas, and even humans. When a porcupine feels scared, it raises its quills. This makes it look much bigger. It can also rattle its tail quills. They might stomp their feet, growl, or grunt. Sometimes, they will even charge backward into a threat.
Indian Crested Porcupine Life Cycle
Indian crested porcupines usually mate in February and March. The mother porcupine is pregnant for about 240 days. She gives birth to one litter each year. A litter usually has two to four babies.
Baby porcupines are born with their eyes open. They have short, soft quills. These quills become hard a few hours after birth. The young porcupines drink milk from their mother for 13 to 19 weeks. They stay with their parents until they are about 2 years old. This is when they become adults.
It's believed that Indian crested porcupines are usually monogamous. This means a male and female partner stay together for life. They mate often, not just to have babies. This helps them keep their special bond strong. This kind of strong bond is rare in the animal kingdom.
Protecting Indian Crested Porcupines
The Indian crested porcupine can live in many different places. It also eats many types of food. Because of this, the IUCN Red List says it is a species of 'Least Concern'. This means there are still many of them. Their numbers are stable in most places. In some areas, they are even considered common.
However, their homes are shrinking. Cities are growing, and new buildings are being built. Also, pesticides used in farming can harm them. Even though they are protected by law in India, they are still hunted. People hunt them for food or for traditional medicine.
