Indian crested porcupine
Did you know?
A porcupine’s best defense is that formidable set of quills on its back. But it can’t “throw” them. Instead, it thrusts backward to spear a predator. The quills come loose and stick into skin, eyes or mouth.
Discover Porcupines
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Eating
(and predators!)
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Porcupines are mostly vegetarian – they eat fruits, nuts, bulbs, roots and bark. But they may chew on bones if they need extra calcium.
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Their main predators are humans, tigers and other wild cats.
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Porcupettes
Yes, really.
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After a 112-day pregnancy, females give birth to a litter of 1-3 baby porcupines, called “porcupettes”.
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The babies are born with soft quills that harden after a few hours – but parents still lick their young to bond with them.
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In a prickle
Literally.
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Did you know that a group of porcupines is called a “prickle”? But Indian crested porcupines usually forage alone, except for mothers with young.
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Mostly nocturnal, they rest during the day in burrows they make themselves.
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Protecting Porcupines
THE THREAT: Indian crested porcupines, like their American counterparts, are common, and not in danger as a species. In fact, in parts of Asia they are so numerous as to be considered pests, and are hunted as food.
TAKE ACTION: What native animals do we consider pests or a problem in the Northwest? Can we live in harmony with them? Read more on our sister zoo website, Northwest Trek.
Asian Forest Stories
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Shannon Smith stands outside on a fall day, calling out encouragement. “Foot!” she requests. Across the yard, her “buddy” of 24 years slowly lifts a leg, then puts it back down. “Good!” exclaims Smith, and offers an apple slice. It’s exercise time at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, and Smith is leading Suki the elderly … Continued
