PORCUPINE ( OF. pore cspin, It, pore() spina, from _ML. porcos spinosus, porcupine, spine-hog, from Lat. porcus, swine. hog, pig, and spina, spine, thorn). A large forest-dwelling rodent of the family Hystricidce. characterized prominently by an armature of horny spines (`porcupine quills') intermixed with coarse hairs. The family includes two well defined sub-families, the Old World porcupines, Hystrieinfe, which are terrestrial and fossorial. and the New World por cupines, Sphiugu•ince, which are aboreal and not fossorial. Other differences also occur in the skeletons. Of the Ilystricinfe, the best known species is the common porcupine (Ilystria, cris Mitt) of the Mediterranean region. II is one of the largest of rodents, being from two to three feet in length. besides the tail, which is about six inches long. The oceiput and neck are fur nished with a crest of long, erectile bristles. The muzzle and limbs are covered with very short hair; the back and sides with spines, which on the middle of the hack are almost of the thick ness of a goose-quill, and more than a foot long. The spines are supported by a slender pedicle, terminate in a sharp point, and are ringed with black and white, which gives a general gray color to the animal. Their ordinary position is flat. with the points directed backward; but when the animal is excited they are erected, giving the beast the bristling appearance shown in the ac eompanying plate. It can roll itself up like a hedgehog, with spines pointing in every direction. The spines or quills at the tip of the tail are of very singular structure, being open thin-sided tubes. about two inches long, supported upon slen der flexible pedicles, and they make a sound by rattling together when the tail is shaken. The animal is solitary and nocturnal, burrows in the ground, and in winter becomes torpid. It feeds on roots, bark, fruits, and other vegetable substances, sometimes committing depredations in gardens.
The spines or quills of this, as well as of other porcupines, are used for various purposes, and have a certain commercial value. A larger species of porcupine (llystris lcucurus), with the quills of the tail quite white, is found in India, and other species inhabit different parts of Asia and Africa. The Malayan and West African brush tailed porcupines of the genus Atherura differ from the true porcupines in having the quills flat tened like blades of grass, and those of the tail gathered into a tuft at the end of it.
Of the other sub-family, the SphingurinT, the best known species is the North American porcu pine dorsat us) of the forested parts of Canada and the Northeastern United States. It is about 2IA feet long, the tail adding about six inches more The spines are only two or three inches long, yellowish-white, mingled with black hair, giving the animal a black and white color. The spines are largest along the sides of the broad, flat tail. The Canada porcupine is often seen on the ground, where it makes a home among the rocks, or in a hollow stump, but spends most of its time in trees, especially evergreens. It is harmless and inoffensive, but is able to resist at tack well• not only by its armature of quills, but by powerful strokes of its tail, and feeds on hark, buds, leaves, fruit, etc. The flesh of the young ones is very good. A closely allied species, the yellow porcupine, is found in the West. The other species of this sub-family are small strictly ar boreal species, with more or less prehensile tail, found in Mexico and South America. They are called 'tree porcupines' and belong to the genera Sphingurus, which has short spines, and Cha tomys, in which the body is clad with stout, wavy bristles. Consult general natural histories: especially, for the Canada porcupine, Stone and Cram, American Animals (New York. 1903) ; Merriam, Nammals of the Adirondacks (ib., I393): Ingersoll, Wild Neighbors (ib., 1898).