Indian white-tailed porcupine

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Indian white-tailed porcupine
Several Indian white-tailed porcupines in the Cottbus zoo

Several Indian white-tailed porcupines in the Cottbus zoo

Systematics
Order : Rodents (Rodentia)
Subordination : Porcupine relatives (Hystricomorpha)
Family : Porcupines (Hystricidae)
Genre : Real porcupines ( Hystrix )
Type : Indian white-tailed porcupine
Scientific name
Hystrix indica
Kerr , 1792

The Indian white-tailed porcupine ( Hystrix indica ), also called Indian porcupine , is between 60 and 80 centimeters tall. The total weight of the individual animals is between 13 and 23 kilograms. This makes it one of the greatest representatives of its family.

Appearance

The animals have an elongated body with short legs. The head shape is very flat. The fur on the front of the body is black, and there is a thick white stripe on the neck. Towards the end of the tail, the fur flows over into elongated, cylindrical black and white colored, erectable spines. They wear a gray comb on their heads.

distribution and habitat

Distribution of the Indian white-tailed porcupine

White-tailed porcupines are found in Turkey , the Eastern Mediterranean, Central Asia, as far as India , Nepal and the People's Republic of China . In the UK they were introduced by humans. They inhabit a variety of habitats such as temperate forests, tropical forests and savannahs, but also occur in agricultural areas such as fields, plantations or in human gardens. They can also be found in the mountains up to an altitude of 2,400 meters.

Way of life and reproduction

  • Eating white-tailed porcupine

  • Two resting white-tailed porcupines

  • Young white tailed porcupine

  • White-tailed porcupine

The nocturnal white-tailed porcupine feeds on roots, tubers, tree bark, various fruits and also on the remains of dead animals in order to meet its phosphate needs and also to sharpen its incisor teeth . The animals live together in small groups and defend their territory very vigorously against other conspecifics. The males mark their territory with the help of scent glands . They use earthworks that they have dug themselves as sleeping places. The wearing time is approx. 90 days. The teats of the females are on the side of the body. The young come out of their litter den for the first time at around 9 weeks old.

Hazards and protective measures

Since this species is widespread and no threats are known, it is listed by the IUCN as ( Least Concern ) not endangered.

literature

  • David Macdonald: Encyclopedia of Mammals. Könemann, Königswinter 2003, ISBN 3-89731-928-4 , pp. 686, 687.
  • Heinz Sielmann: The great book of the animal world. Weltbild, Augsburg 1993, ISBN 3-89350-374-9 , p. 467.

Web links

Commons : Indian White Tailed Porcupine ( Hystrix indica )  - Collection of images, videos and audio files