Also known as Brazilian porcupines, prehensile-tailed porcupines are found in South American forests of Venezuela, Guiana, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Trinidad and far northern areas of Argentina. Their coloring varies from yellow-orange to brownish-black, and their backs are covered with long, sharp quills.
The life of a prehensile-tailed porcupine
Prehensile-tailed porcupines can grow up to two feet long, with a tail as long as 19 inches. They weigh up to 11 pounds and live up to 15 years in the wild, and as long as 20 years in human care. This species is much smaller than North American porcupines.
After mating, females give birth to a single porcupette. Newborns are ready to climb from birth, but the young rely on their mothers for nutrition for the first month of life. They are fully grown after 11 months.
Prehensile-tailed porcupines are arboreal and spend 85% of their time in trees eating, sleeping and interacting with other porcupines. They are excellent climbers and use their long tails to balance and wrap around tree branches. Their long claws also help them climb trees and move through the forest.
Prehensile-tailed porcupines are herbivores that feast on leaves, flowers, roots and tree bark. They use their tails to reach out and grab fruit and seeds.
Their predators include jaguars, harpy eagles and humans, who sometimes hunt prehensile-tailed porcupines for food. When threatened, prehensile-tailed porcupines stamp their hind feet and curl up to protect themselves. They also shake their quills and make a variety sounds to deter predators.
Prehensile-tailed porcupines at the zoo
A prehensile-tailed porcupine is an ambassador animal at the zoo. He helps educate guests about his species during special presentations.
