Porcupine
Porcupine is a type of rodent that can not move quickly and has a relatively large body.
Therefore, without a unique defense system - a sharp thorn all over the body - they will become easy prey for predators .
Porcupine (English hedgehog) is derived from the Middle French word 'porc d'epine' meaning 'spiny pig'.
- Where Hedgehogs Can Be Found?
Hedgehogs are commonly found in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North and South America.
the hedgehogs found in North and South America are adept at climbing so spend a lot of time in the trees foraging.
Some species are even equipped with tails that can help them cling to a tree limb.
the hedgehogs found in Africa, Asia, and Europe inhabit forests, meadows, and deserts.
- Physical Form
Hedgehogs include rodent species belonging to the family of Hystricidae or Erethizontidae.
Porcupine is the third largest rodent after capybara and beaver. The size of these animals varies.
For example, while African hedgehogs can weigh 20 kg or more, the Rothschild hedgehog living in South America weighs 1 kg or less.
there are at least 11 species of hedgehog found in Africa, Asia, and Europe with considerable size.
While 12 species of porcupine living in North and South America are smaller.
however, North American hedgehogs can weigh 18 kg by length 85 cm and have up to 30,000 spines.
The color of the hedgehog ranges from yellowish brown, gray, and sometimes white.
The hedgehog body is round, with head and small ears. the hedgehogs are short and strong and have thorns all over the body.
Dagger of solid hedge at base and tip, with hollow middle part. The tip of the hedgehog spines has a microscopic thorn facing the back.
thorns grow in every part of the body, except the stomach, with the shortest spines in the cheek area and the longest around the buttocks.
Contrary to myth, porcupines can not throw their thorns to stab a predator.
when dealing with predators, the hedgehog will turn around and defend themselves with long spines in the back of their bodies.
after the spikes of porcupine to the predator, due to muscle movement, over time this thorn will increasingly enter the muscle tissue causing death from penetration and infection.
However, hedgehogs are basically shy animals and only use their thorns to defend themselves.
- Food Hedgehogs
hedgehogs are herbivorous animals that feed on leaves, fruits, tree buds, to bark.
- Breeding
The hedgehog marriage season occurs in late summer and early autumn. Male hedgehogs will change more aggressively during the breeding season to fight the females.
females will give birth to a child, usually one tail, about 7 months after mating.
At birth, baby hedgehog's thorns are still soft that will soon harden in an hour.
children of hedgehogs will start looking for their own food when they are one or two days old, although they live with their parents until they are about 6 months old.
