PorcupineBrush-tailed porcupine
Discover great deals on the many hard to find and one of a kind items available only on ebay!

This site contains sponsored affiliate links.

Porcupine

Porcupines are rodents best known for their coat of sharp spines, or quills, that defend them from predators. The porcupines include the third largest rodent, after the capybara and the mara. Most porcupines are about 60-90 cm (25-36 inches) long, with a 20-25 cm (8-10 inch) long tail. more...

HomeHome
AmphibianAmphibian
ArthropodArthropod
BirdBird
CatCat
DinosaurDinosaur
DogDog
FishFish
MammalMammal
AardvarkAardvark
AnteaterAnteater
AntelopeAntelope
ApeApe
ArmadilloArmadillo
BadgerBadger
BandicootBandicoot
BatBat
BearBear
BeaverBeaver
BelugaBeluga
BisonBison
Black BearBlack Bear
Blue WhaleBlue Whale
BoarBoar
BobcatBobcat
Brown BearBrown Bear
BullBull
BunnyBunny
CamelCamel
CattleCattle
CheetahCheetah
ChimpChimp
ChimpanzeeChimpanzee
ChipmunkChipmunk
CowCow
CoyoteCoyote
DeerDeer
DolphinDolphin
DonkeyDonkey
ElephantElephant
ElkElk
FerretFerret
FoxFox
GiraffeGiraffe
GoatGoat
GooseGoose
GopherGopher
GorillaGorilla
Grizzly BearGrizzly Bear
HareHare
HedgehogHedgehog
HippopotomasHippopotomas
HorseHorse
HumanHuman
Humpback WhaleHumpback Whale
IbexIbex
JaguarJaguar
KangarooKangaroo
Killer WhaleKiller Whale
KoalaKoala
LemmingLemming
LemurLemur
LeopardLeopard
LionLion
LynxLynx
ManateeManatee
MarmotMarmot
MarsupialMarsupial
MeercatMeercat
MinkMink
MoleMole
MongooseMongoose
MonkeyMonkey
MooseMoose
MouseMouse
MuleMule
MuskratMuskrat
OppossumOppossum
OrangutanOrangutan
OrcaOrca
OtterOtter
PangolinPangolin
PigPig
Polar BearPolar Bear
PorcupinePorcupine
PorpoisePorpoise
PossumPossum
Prairie DogPrairie Dog
RabbitRabbit
RacoonRacoon
RatRat
RhinocerosRhinoceros
RodentRodent
SealSeal
SheepSheep
ShrewShrew
SkunkSkunk
SlothSloth
Sperm WhaleSperm Whale
SquirrelSquirrel
SteerSteer
TenrecTenrec
TigerTiger
VoleVole
WalrusWalrus
WeaselWeasel
WhaleWhale
WolfWolf
WolverineWolverine
WombatWombat
Wooly MammothWooly Mammoth
ZebraZebra
MythologicalMythological
ReptileReptile


Weighing between 5-16 kg (12-35 pounds), they are rounded, large and slow. Porcupines come in various shades of brown, grey, and the unusual white. The name "porcupine" comes from combining the Latin for pig and French for spine, hence the nickname "quill pig" for the animal.

In parts of Africa, porcupines are eaten as a form of bush meat.

Quills

The porcupine's chief defense is its quills, sharp spines distributed across the rodent's back, sides, legs, tail and head. They may be as dense as 150 per square inch, giving one animal as many as 30,000 quills. Contrary to popular belief, porcupines do not throw their quills; unfortunate victims approach closely enough to be swatted by the tail or brush against the animal. Like the related ordinary hairs, porcupine quills grow back when they come out.

When threatened, a porcupine will raise its quills. This is the piloerection reflex, the same as the goose bump reflex in humans.

A porcupine can defend itself by hiding its bare face from an attacker and keeping its bare belly to the ground. It may swat its tail at an assailant. The quills are not poisoned, but animals may die from a porcupine encounter if the quills prevent eating. Porcupines often fall on their own quills. Likely as an evolutionary result, the quills possess mild antibiotic properties.

Quills are sharp-pointed, fitted with microscopic barbs, and expand on contact with warm flesh. Muscle contractions in a quill victim work the quill deeper, as much as 2 cm per day unless the quills are removed promptly.

Male porcupines use urine to soften the females' quills before mating.

Fishers sometimes successfully attack porcupines by biting their faces.

Habitat

Porcupines occupy a wide range of habitats in tropical and temperate parts of Asia, Italy, Africa and the Americas. Porcupines live in forests, deserts and grasslands. Some live in trees, others stay on the ground.

Porcupines in search of salt sometimes encroach on areas inhabited by people and eat tool handles, clothes and other items that have been coated in salty sweat.

Species

A porcupine is any of 23 species of rodent belonging to the families Erethizontidae and Hystricidae. All defend themselves with sharp spines (which are actually modified hairs) rather like those of the hedgehogs, which are part of the order Insectivora and more closely related to shrews and moles than they are to the rodents, and the echidnas, which as monotremes are very distantly related indeed.

Porcupines vary in size considerably: Rothschild's Porcupine of South America weighs less than a kilogram; the African Porcupine can grow to well over 20 kg.

Read more at Wikipedia.org


[List your site here Free!]

1989 Audubon Vintage "Canada Porcupine" A Lovely Mammal Color Art Lithograph1989 Audubon Vintage "Canada Porcupine" A Lovely Mammal Color Art Lithograph $8.00 Mammal Lover | Vintage Retro Sunset Hedgehog Graphic T-ShirtMammal Lover | Vintage Retro Sunset Hedgehog Graphic T-Shirt $22.99 to
Little Porcupine's Christmas by Slate, JosephLittle Porcupine's Christmas by Slate, Joseph $6.26 Desert Hedgehog Safari Cards Rencontre MammalsDesert Hedgehog Safari Cards Rencontre Mammals $4.95
Hedgehog Porcupine Cute Mammal Animal Kawaii 1.1" Enamel Pin BadgeHedgehog Porcupine Cute Mammal Animal Kawaii 1.1" Enamel Pin Badge $14.99 A Porcupine Named Fluffy by Helen LesterA Porcupine Named Fluffy by Helen Lester $4.96
Hedgehog Safari Cards Rencontre MammalsHedgehog Safari Cards Rencontre Mammals $4.95 Porcupine 1908 Illustration Edward Knobel Wildlife History Mammal Usa B&W artPorcupine 1908 Illustration Edward Knobel Wildlife History Mammal Usa B&W art $79.99
Aaa Animal Figure Wildlife Mammal Hedgehog Standing Small 2" LongAaa Animal Figure Wildlife Mammal Hedgehog Standing Small 2" Long $12.41 Canada 2 cent stamp # 1156 Mnh - 1988 Porcupine Mammal DefinitivesCanada 2 cent stamp # 1156 Mnh - 1988 Porcupine Mammal Definitives $0.87
A Porcupine Named Fluffy (Laugh-Along Lessons) - Hardcover - Very GoodA Porcupine Named Fluffy (Laugh-Along Lessons) - Hardcover - Very Good $3.98 A Porcupine Named Fluffy by Lester, HelenA Porcupine Named Fluffy by Lester, Helen $3.99
Canada 1988 Porcupine 2¢ Mammal Definitive, Mnh Pb set, sc#1156Canada 1988 Porcupine 2¢ Mammal Definitive, Mnh Pb set, sc#1156 $2.80 Antique Print-View of different mammals-Otter-Porcupine-B eaver-Johnston-1657Antique Print-View of different mammals-Otter-Porcupine-B eaver-Johnston-1657 $167.50
2Pcs Live Animal Traps 24' Steel Cage for Live Rodent Control Rat Squirrel2Pcs Live Animal Traps 24' Steel Cage for Live Rodent Control Rat Squirrel $49.58 Realistic Faux Driftwood Finish Wild Spiny Mammal Hedgehog Animal Figurine 9"LRealistic Faux Driftwood Finish Wild Spiny Mammal Hedgehog Animal Figurine 9"L $42.99
Anatomy Hedgehog Mammal Animal Lover Funny T Shirt Tee Gift NewAnatomy Hedgehog Mammal Animal Lover Funny T Shirt Tee Gift New $19.98 to Let's Have a Sleepover!: An Acorn Book (Hello, Hedgehog! #2) - Very GoodLet's Have a Sleepover!: An Acorn Book (Hello, Hedgehog! #2) - Very Good $3.73
TheMogan Hedgehog Hamster Squirrel Small Mammal Plush Stuffed Animal ToyTheMogan Hedgehog Hamster Squirrel Small Mammal Plush Stuffed Animal Toy $10.99 Canada Stamp #1156 Mammal Definitive - Porcupine Mnh 1988Canada Stamp #1156 Mammal Definitive - Porcupine Mnh 1988 $0.69
Porcupine Safari Cards Rencontre MammalsPorcupine Safari Cards Rencontre Mammals $4.95 (66) Two Individual Paper Luncheon Decoupage Napkins - Cute Hedgehog Mammal(66) Two Individual Paper Luncheon Decoupage Napkins - Cute Hedgehog Mammal $1.76
Porcupines (Animals, Animals) byPorcupines (Animals, Animals) by $15.04 Polly Porcupine s Painting Pri - Very GoodPolly Porcupine s Painting Pri - Very Good $17.18
Hedgehog Vintage Street Sign hedgehogs cage pets mammal| Indoor/OutdoorHedgehog Vintage Street Sign hedgehogs cage pets mammal| Indoor/Outdoor $10.99 to Hedgehog in the Fog by Norstein, Yuri & Sergey Kozlov Hc 2017Hedgehog in the Fog by Norstein, Yuri & Sergey Kozlov Hc 2017 $35.00
Canadian Porcupine Safari Cards Rencontre MammalsCanadian Porcupine Safari Cards Rencontre Mammals $4.95 Little Porcupine's Christmas - Hardcover By Slate, Joseph - GoodLittle Porcupine's Christmas - Hardcover By Slate, Joseph - Good $5.38
Hedgehog Mammal Lover | Just A Girl Who Loves Hedgehogs T-ShirtHedgehog Mammal Lover | Just A Girl Who Loves Hedgehogs T-Shirt $22.99 to Goldsmith 1847 Antique Hand Colored Engraving Mammal Tenrec Hedgehog 2 PlatesGoldsmith 1847 Antique Hand Colored Engraving Mammal Tenrec Hedgehog 2 Plates $45.00
Hedgehog Outline Woodland Animal Spiny Mammal Cookie Cutter Usa Pr3195Hedgehog Outline Woodland Animal Spiny Mammal Cookie Cutter Usa Pr3195 $1.99 Mammals Jerboa Porcupine Tapir Ant Eater Rhinoceros Sloth - 1818 Print #D844Mammals Jerboa Porcupine Tapir Ant Eater Rhinoceros Sloth - 1818 Print #D844 $27.93
How Little Porcupine Played Christmas Hardcover Joseph SlateHow Little Porcupine Played Christmas Hardcover Joseph Slate $23.16 ZooFleece Hedgehog Blanket Quilt Pet Porcupine Spiky Mammal Cute Animal 50X60"ZooFleece Hedgehog Blanket Quilt Pet Porcupine Spiky Mammal Cute Animal 50X60" $29.71
Mammals Porcupine Armadillo Anteater Sloth Hare Pangolin -1866 Color PrintMammals Porcupine Armadillo Anteater Sloth Hare Pangolin -1866 Color Print $9.75 Old Vintage Black & White Photo Cute Little Hedgehog Animal Pet Mammal Nature 81Old Vintage Black & White Photo Cute Little Hedgehog Animal Pet Mammal Nature 81 $10.00
Mammals, Rodents - Tenrec, Porcupine, 1827 Antique Engraving ClearanceMammals, Rodents - Tenrec, Porcupine, 1827 Antique Engraving Clearance $11.99 A Porcupine Named Fluffy - Paperback By Lester, Helen - GoodA Porcupine Named Fluffy - Paperback By Lester, Helen - Good $3.80
Jim Shore Heartwood Creek White Woodland Pinecone Hedgehog Figurine 6015158Jim Shore Heartwood Creek White Woodland Pinecone Hedgehog Figurine 6015158 $24.99 Porcupine Valentine - Paperback By Aaron Zenz - GoodPorcupine Valentine - Paperback By Aaron Zenz - Good $3.83
1875 Meyer Mammal Print Rodents Field Mouse Beaver Porcupine Hamster Dormouse1875 Meyer Mammal Print Rodents Field Mouse Beaver Porcupine Hamster Dormouse $11.99 World of the Porcupine Hardcover David F. CostelloWorld of the Porcupine Hardcover David F. Costello $9.19
Indian Crested Porcupine Safari Cards Rencontre MammalsIndian Crested Porcupine Safari Cards Rencontre Mammals $4.95 $42.99
Brush Tailed Porcupine Safari Cards Rencontre MammalsBrush Tailed Porcupine Safari Cards Rencontre Mammals $4.95 Hedgehog Erinaceus Europaeus Mammal Fauna Forest Russia Mint Maxi Fdc 1989Hedgehog Erinaceus Europaeus Mammal Fauna Forest Russia Mint Maxi Fdc 1989 $7.00
Little Porcupine's ChristmasLittle Porcupine's Christmas $4.72 The Mountain Hedgehog Porcupine Spiky Mammal Cute Animal Pet Beige T-Shirt L-4XThe Mountain Hedgehog Porcupine Spiky Mammal Cute Animal Pet Beige T-Shirt L-4X $29.71 to
Just A Girl Who Loves Hedgehog T-Shirt, Spiny Mammal Gift, Hedgehog ShirtJust A Girl Who Loves Hedgehog T-Shirt, Spiny Mammal Gift, Hedgehog Shirt $20.99 Russia Ussr Animal Mammal Hedgehog Badger. Mlh block 1989 #B152-6 Mi 5935-9Russia Ussr Animal Mammal Hedgehog Badger. Mlh block 1989 #B152-6 Mi 5935-9 $1.50
The Mountain T-Shirt Adult Large Hedgehog Porcupine Spiky Mammal Animal BeigeThe Mountain T-Shirt Adult Large Hedgehog Porcupine Spiky Mammal Animal Beige $15.00 Lifelike Realistic Spinal Mammal Animal Baby Hedgehog Collectible Figurine 6"LLifelike Realistic Spinal Mammal Animal Baby Hedgehog Collectible Figurine 6"L $23.99
1901 Antique Mammal Chromolithograph Print ~ Porcupine1901 Antique Mammal Chromolithograph Print ~ Porcupine $19.99 7/8 & 1.5" (1 Yd) Hedgehog Grosgrain Ribbon Cute Mammal Baby Shower Ribbon7/8 & 1.5" (1 Yd) Hedgehog Grosgrain Ribbon Cute Mammal Baby Shower Ribbon $1.20 to
The North American Porcupine, Second Edi., Uldis RozeThe North American Porcupine, Second Edi., Uldis Roze $19.49
Click to see more Porcupine items at www.ebay.com
Prices current as of last update, 03/18/25 8:01am.

Home Contact Resources Exchange Links eBay