Porcupines are large rodents with coats of sharp spines, or quills, that protect them against predators. The term covers two families of animals, the Old World porcupines in the family Hystricidae, and the New World porcupines in the family Erethizontidae.
Porcupine, any of several species of large, herbivorous, quill-bearing rodents active from early evening to dawn. All have short stocky legs, but their tails range from short to long, some being prehensile.
Porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum) are the third largest members of the rodent family that are covered with spines or quills. The name ‘porcupine’ comes from Middle French ‘porc d’épine’ meaning ‘thorny pig’. There are, in total, 27 species of porcupine belonging to the families, Erethizontidae or Hystricidae.
The North American porcupine is one of the largest rodents found in North America, coming second to the North America beaver. They weigh around 20 pounds (9 kilograms) and are 2 to 3 feet (60 to 90 centimeters) in length.
Porcupines are rodents, but very different from one another. The two families are not even closely related; the Rodentia order is exceptionally diverse, and despite looking similar, new and old-world quill pigs actually evolved their quills independently, through a process of convergent evolution.
Old World Porcupines (Family Hystricidae) live in Africa, Europe, and Asia. They are strictly ground-dwelling (terrestrial) animals, and their quills grow in distinct clusters. New World Porcupines (Family Erethizontidae) are native to North, Central, and South America.
The North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) is the second largest rodent in North America, after the North American beaver. In addition, the range of this species is the northernmost of all porcupines.