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Indian porcupine
Indian porcupine
The largest rodent is the "needle-bearer" of Eurasia.
Type: Chordates
Class: Mammals
Order: Rodents
Family: Porcupines
Genus: Porcupines
Species: Indian porcupine
General Settings
  • Distribution - South and Central Asia, Transcaucasia, and the Middle East.
  • Body length - 80-90 cm. Tail length - 10-15 cm.
  • Weight - up to 18 kg.
  • The main diet consists of rhizomes, stems and bulbs of plants, fruits and greens of cereals.
  • Life expectancy is about 20 years.

The ancestors of porcupines were covered with wool, but over millions of years of evolution, it has changed and turned into needles. The length of the porcupine quills can reach 30-40 centimeters.


Social behavior


Porcupines are nocturnal animals and begin to leave their burrows only at dusk. In search of food, they are ready to overcome several kilometers and return. The porcupine is well "armed" with needles, allowing not to be afraid of meeting even a large predator. In nature, each porcupine or couple has its own territory, but at the same time they can peacefully coexist with their neighbors and only go to their shelter for the night.


Reproduction


Forming a pair, porcupines keep together all the time, especially when they go out to feed at night, they often move almost closely. Pregnancy of a female lasts 110-115 days, after which 2 to 5 cubs are born. Porcupines are very caring parents, they guard burrows and heat babies in turn. The kids live on the parent site for about two years.


Species and people


The porcupine is the heraldic symbol of King Louis XII, the motto of which "Near and Far Away" was borrowed from the knightly Order of the Porcupine. At that time, there was a legend that the porcupine was able to shoot with needles at a distance, so it was dangerous "near and far." But sometimes the porcupine is considered a symbol of slander and backbiting, since he allegedly shoots his arrows at us at the most unexpected moment.


Interesting Facts


Porcupine needles are hollow inside, this helps them to easily stay on the water, so these animals swim perfectly.

Porcupines simply adore melons and gourds and enjoy watermelons, melons, zucchini and pumpkins with great pleasure.

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