Porcupine
Porcupine
Porcupine (/ˈpɔːrkjʊpaɪn/, from Latin porcus "pig" and spina "spine") is a term which refers to two different families of rodents: Hystricidae (Old World porcupines) and Erethizontidae (New World porcupines).
Etymology
The name "porcupine" comes from Middle French porc d'épine "thorny pig," a reference to the animal's spiny fur. The scientific term for porcupine, Hystricidae or Erethizontidae, is derived from the Greek words hystrix, meaning "porcupine" and idae, a common ending in taxonomy that means "family of".
Description
Porcupines are large rodents with coats of sharp spines, or quills, that protect them against predators. They are found in a wide range of environments in both the Old and New World. They are typically brown or black in color, with white highlights.
Behavior
Porcupines are mostly nocturnal, but can be active during the day. They are known for their defensive behavior of raising their quills when threatened.
Related Terms
- Quill: A stiff, sharp hair or spine like the pointed end of a feather.
- Rodent: An order of mammals characterized by two continuously growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must be kept short by gnawing.
- Hystricidae: The Old World porcupines, one of two families of the infraorder Hystricognathi within the order Rodentia.
- Erethizontidae: The New World porcupines, family of rodents ranked among the second largest of the rodents.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Porcupine
- Wikipedia's article - Porcupine
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