Porcupines

Description

Porcupines are 35cm tall and their length is 90cm.They weigh 18kg.Their are heavily built with long black and white quills (spikes) from their shoulders to their tail. They have a very short, flat tail.


Habitat


* Porcupines live in burrows, caves or crevices in rocks. They live in southern Africa. A porcupine can climb trees that are 60 to 70 feet high to reach the young leaves.


Eating Habits


¤ Porcupines are vegetarians, feeding on leaves, twigs, green plants and bark. During cold winter months, porcupines exist entirely on twigs and bark.






Interesting Facts


Porcupines possess upwards of 30, 000 quills, which are spaced closely together in between dark, course fur. Quills are 3-inches long and black in colour, with bright yellowish tips. Porcupines has five 5 toes on the back feet and 4 toes on the front. Their hind feet have long, curved claws and thick pads, which leave distinctive markings. The porcupine has two distinct front teeth, which are used for gnawing. The two teeth continuously grow through out the course of the porcupine’s life.






By Michaela O’Hare