Male and females are pretty much the same size. The smallest is the Bahia hairy dwarf porcupine. The long-tailed porcupine of the Old World is 27.9-48 cm long and its weight varies from 1.5 to 2.3 kg. Porcupine was only able to hold 100 grams before it crimpled to the ground. It grows up to 15 inches (38 cm) long. Weight Loss Percentage Calculator. The quills are used as a means of defense and can be used in two ways: they can be shaken to create a warning rattle and they can be embedded into a predator if the porcupine decides to charge. Whereas, the larger crested porcupine is 60-83 cm long and its body weight is 13-27 kg. The African crested porcupine is the largest porcupine in the world. A lot of you want to know how to calculate the percentage of weight loss like they do on the show. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest rodents in the world and learn a little about what, (besides their size) makes them so fascinating. The North American Porcupine is best known for and made distinguishable by its spiny quills that cover its body. They cannot throw or shoot their quills. 2-4 years (wild); up to 10 years (captivity), 3-6 years (wild); up to 10 years (captivity), 4-7 years (wild); up to 12 years (captivity), 3-6 years (wild); 10-14 years (captivity), 7-10 years (wild); 10-15 years (captivity), Up to 12 years (wild); 12-16 years (captivity), 5-7 years (wild); 10-19 years (captivity), 6-12 years (wild); up to 20 years (captivity), 8-10 years (wild); 10-20 years (captivity), 12-15 years (wild); up to 21 years (captivity), 10-15 years (wild); 15-25 years (captivity). There is a callus pad on the upper side near the tip and half of the weight of the tail is muscle. Both families belong to the infraorder Hystricognathi within the profoundly diverse orderRodentia and display superficially similar coats of quills: despite this, the two groups are distinct from each other and are not closely related to each other within the Hystrico… Drawings include:â¨North American Porcupine side elevation (standing), front (standing), front (upright). The North American Porcupine is best known for and made distinguishable by its spiny quills that cover its body. It has a round body, small ears and a small head. Porcupine finished in a disappointing 3rd to last place. For example, the fact that they are classified as rodents.They are the 3rd largest of all rodents in the world. You better be ready for this big fella if you’d like to raise your own leopard tortoise! AJS "Porcupine " 19471947 A.J.S. Porcupines vary in size considerably depending on species, however, they generally measure 60 – 90 centimetres (25 – 36 inches) in length (excluding tail which measures 20 – 25 centimetres (8 – 10 inches)) and weigh between 5 – 16 kilograms (12 – 35 pounds). Scaled 2D drawings and 3D models available for download. Their fur ranges in color from brownish-yellow to black, and they sport white highlights in their quills. The major difference between Old and New world species is that the Old World porcupines live on the ground and often in small groups, while the New World porcupine… Vital Statistics . Adopt a red panda to give the perfect gift to the animal lover in your life — even if that animal lover is you! The tail can be another 8 to 10 inches. The largest porcupine is the North African crested porcupine. The North American Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum), a common New World porcupine, is second in size behind the beaver as one of the largest rodents in North America. In comparison, the largest porcupine species in the world, the African crested porcupine, and the African Cape porcupine which are very similiar sub-species, is a ground-dweller that can reach 60 pounds in size. North American Porcupines have a typical lifespan of 10-15 years in the wild and up to 15-30 years in captivity. The North American porcupine is the only species that lives in the U.S. and Canada, and is the largest of all porcupines. Select an item on the right to compare relative dimensions to North American Porcupine. Rodents can be arboreal, semi-aquatic, or fossorial. races were concerned was the racing twin announced in May 1947 and, because of its peculiar cylinder-head finning, quickly dubbed the "Porcupine". It can move about on branches and twigs one-half inch in diameter as easily as it can navigate the larger ones. The Biggest Loser featured tons of seriously impressive transformations during its 17 seasons on the air. They eat roots and bulbs, and regularly raid farmers crops. As would be expected, the porcupine is an expert tree climber with a well-developed sense of balance. When the quills enter the skin of a predator, they work their way further into the skin at a rate of 1 mm an hour. The largest porcupine is the African Porcupine which can weigh over 20 kilograms (44 pounds). Weight 24-60 lb (~11-27 kg) The IUCN Red List describes Hystrix indica as a species of Least Concern with a widespread population and no major threats. A typical, full adult weight for the standard-sized leopard tortoise would be around forty-four pounds and the larger variants around eighty-eight pounds. The Old World porcupines belong to the infraorder Hystricognathi of the … Scientific name: Erethizon dorsatum Average weight: 5.5 kg (male) 4.5 kg (female) Average height: 60 to 100 cm Average lifespan:10 years or more There are about 2,050 species of rodents and these make up most the most diversified mammalian order. The North American porcupine has a thick underfur covered with long, wiry guard hairs on the front of its body. Length of the tail ranges from 5.7 – 12 inches (14.5 – 30 cm) In the winter, they primarily eat evergreen needles and the inner bark of trees, often feeding heavily on a single tree causing damage or death to the tree. A porcupine may have as many as 30,000 quills. The porcupine's most famous feature—the quill—is hollow, 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7 centimeters) in length, and lightly attached to the porcupine's skin. They are similar in appearance to, and only slightly larger than, their close relatives, the crested porcupines, and can most easily be distinguished from them by the presence of a band of short white spines along the midline of the rump. It has a relatively thin, oval pectoral fin disc that is widest anteriorly, and a sharply pointed snout with a protruding tip. The largest porcupine is the African Porcupine which can weigh over 20 kilograms (44 pounds). They are broken down into two types of porcupines, which are Old World and New World porcupines. A single animal may have 30,000 or more quills. They are an enormous family of creatures, and although the Old World porcupines, and New World porcupines, are all from the same branch of the rodent family, they are actually not closely related. Even when our gates are closed, we are still here, working as always to save species. The North American porcupine is a rodent. The North American Porcupine is best known for and made distinguishable by its spiny quills that cover its body. As a public health precaution due to COVID-19, all Smithsonian museums will temporarily close. Back to Animals & Exhibits . The long-tailed porcupine of the Old World is 27.9-48 cm long and its weight varies from 1.5 to 2.3 kg. Beavers exclusively eat plants such as grass and twigs. ; The average weight of the first 44 presidents is 182 pounds (82.7 kg). A single animal may have 30,000 or more quills. Updated daily. The weig… North American Porcupines have a height of 12.6”-16.5” (32-42 cm), body length between 23.6”-35.4” (60-90 cm), and an overall weight in the range of 20-40 lb (9-18 kg). Less is more. New World porcupines … When threatened the porcupine will raise its quills and rattles the hollow spines on its tail. Porcupines are more likely to flee predators, but if cornered, it will erect its quills, turn its back to the attacker and lash its barbed tail. Rodents generally eat nuts, meat, fish, fruits, berries, and food scraps. In order to keep rodents out of a garden remove any shelters they have such as brush piles and tall grass, remove food sources, control lawn grubs, and maintain the garden clean by keeping garbage and recycling bins clean. Cape porcupines seem to be the world's fourth heaviest living rodents, after the capybara and the Eurasian and North American beavers. ; James Madison was the lightest president at 100 pounds (45.4 kg). Females weigh about 1/3 of the average weight of males and most females are about the size of large mink, although their longer fur makes them appear to be larger. The length not counting the tail is approximately 25 – 41 inches. It has hairless soles on its feet that help it climb trees. The tail length of a North American Porcupine is 8â-10â (20-25 cm). Porcupines have rounded bodies covered with many spines or … Want updates on new Dimensions content? Indian porcupinesare almost the same size on … They can be found in almost every single country, as well as every type of habitat, including man-made environments. Washington, DC 20013. The quills are hairs with barbed tips on the ends. View all of the Porcupine images! They are also good swimmers. Educational Activities You Can Do at Home, About the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, A Look Back At Panda Cub Xiao Qi Ji's Exciting November. Gestation lasts 205 to 217 days. Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute 3001 Connecticut Ave., NW Washington, DC 20008, PO Box 37012 The weights listed below reflect the best information available. Rodents live all over the world except Antarctica. The North American porcupine is the only species that lives in the U.S. and Canada, and is the largest of all porcupines. 3DM, OBJ, SKP formats, Dimensions is a project by Fantastic Offense. The most recognizable feature of the porcupine is its quills. The smallest porcupine is the Rothschilds Porcupine from South America which weighs only 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds). Males rarely weigh more than 14 pounds. Check the conservation status of the animals you hunt and use methods that don’t impact other animals. Are you a hunter? Instantly recognizable from its shape and coating of 30,000 quills, porcupines are native to the forests of North America. It lives in hilly, rocky habitats in sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa and Italy. Weight 24-60 lb (~11-27 kg) The IUCN Red List describes Hystrix indica as a species of Least Concern with a widespread population and no major threats. Click through all of our Porcupine images in the gallery. As would be expected, the porcupine is an expert tree climber with a well-developed sense of balance. It sheds them upon impact so the quills imbed in their attacker. When threatened, the porcupine doesn’t “shoot” its quills. Many people don’t know much else about them though. While they can't shoot their quills at predators, the quills are loosely attached and designed to deter predators. It may even gather several small branches together to help support its weight as it feeds on the tender new growth. While porcupines spend most of the time on the ground, they are good climbers and regularly climb trees in search of food (and occasionally are found to build nests in trees.) The largest porcupine is the African Porcupine which can weigh over 20 kilograms (44 pounds). There is no mistaking what you are seeing when a Porcupine comes into view. Click through all of our Porcupine images in the gallery. https://www.canadiangeographic.ca/article/animal-facts-porcupine The spines of the Cape Porcupine can reach up to 20 inches in length, which makes them an extremely effective defense mechanism. Their weight may vary from 3.5 kg – 18 kg (7.7 lbs – 40 lbs) depending on the species. For 3D Downloads of this element, upgrade to a Dimensions Pro Membership. William H. Taft was the heaviest president at 340 pounds (154.2 kg). To maintain this defense system, the quills can grow back. Young (called porcupettes) are born in the spring/early summer. In the wild, they are known to live as long as 18 years. The two biggest populations are in the Adirondacks and the … North American porcupines are native to the coniferous and mixed-forest habitats of Canada, the northeastern and western regions of the United States and northern Mexico. By becoming a member, you'll help the Zoo save species and get great benefits for you and your family each time you visit! The term covers two families of animals: the Old World porcupines of family Hystricidae, and the New World porcupines of family Erethizontidae. You can be an incredible ally for conservation! Their diet changes seasonally. Simply raising awareness about this species can contribute to its overall protection. They can be from 25 to 36 inches long. We are not announcing a reopening date at this time and will provide updates on our websites and social media. While porcupines spend most of the time on the ground, they are good climbers and regularly climb trees in search of food and occasionally even build nests in trees. They are well known for their dangerous quills that they can come out easily upon contact with the unknown visitor. Squirrels and beavers have more specific food requirements. The largest porcupine is the North African crested porcupine. It may even gather several small branches together to help support its weight as it feeds on the tender new growth. The diet of Rodents usually consists of seeds and plants, but some species do have more varied diets. The weather outside is frightful, but with you it’s so delightful! The North American porcupine is one of the largest rodents found in North America, coming second to the North America beaver. Because quills are so lightly attached, they come off easily when a predator encounters them. Besides forests, porcupines can also be found in grasslands, desert shrub communities and even tundra. Typical females weigh between 4 and 5 pounds. Porcupines are covered in about 30,000 quills. One of the largest freshwater fish in the world, this species grows upwards of 1.9 m (6.2 ft) across and may reach 600 kg (1,300 lb) in weight. The Giant Weta often cited as the heaviest insect on Earth. Porcupine, Prehensile-Tailed. A confirmation email has been sent. View all of the Porcupine images! Now more than ever, we need your support. Height: 1 - 2 feet. ©2020 Dimensions.com | All rights reserved. Their fur ranges in color from brownish-yellow to black, and they sport white highlights in their quills. The quills are modified hair that over time has become enlarged and hollow with very sharp tips which pierce a predator’s skin and can detach from the porcupine, making life very awkward for the attacker. The straw to mass ratio was a 1.613 ratio. Porcupines are generalists, eating a wide range of plant material. For example, mice and rats are able to carry a flexible diet, and quickly adapt to the food available in their surroundings. Also seal any holes, place fences, and place mesh tubes around any plants to prevent rodents from eating them. Cape porcupines are the largest rodents in Africa and also the world's largest porcupines. Jogging and running are great exercises to help you lose weight.. Porcupines are covered in about 30,000 quills. Breeding season is fall and early winter. Porcupine Quills. Love it or hate it, NBC's The Biggest Loser sure does get people interested in weight loss. Find resources to engage learners in grades preK-12 with science, the natural world, wildlife and conservation. Large species can be up to 10 cm (4 in) not inclusive of legs and antennae. At the Smithsonian's National Zoo, the porcupines eat herbivore pellets and a variety of fruits, vegetables and greens. A comprehensive reference database of dimensioned drawings documenting the standard measurements and sizes of the everyday objects and spaces that make up our world. So, I've created this handy weight loss calculator for you to check your percentage of weight … Whereas, the larger crested porcupine is 60-83 cm long and its body weight is 13-27 kg.