They prefer wooded habitats and are apt at climbing trees. ə‚dē] (vertebrate zoology) The Old World porcupines, a family of Rodentia ranging from southern Europe to Africa and eastern Asia and into the Philippines. Unlike the old world porcupines, the new world porcupines have adapted to tree climbing (Although they are not the most agile climbers, they get it done. The Old World porcupines are large representatives of the terrestrial rodent mammals, distinguished by their spiny covering from which they take their name. Like their New World equivalents, the North American porcupines, Old World porcupines are large, heavyset, slow-moving animals that rely on their imposing quills for defense rather than on speed or agility.The largest hystricids may exceed 25 kg in weight; others weigh a kilogram or two. Porcupines have long spiny barbed hairs or quills. Volume 12(1) 2017: 1-11 quills; black-brown to grey-brown on the upper back and white to light brown on the underside (Choe, 2006). The Old World porcupines live in southern Europe, Asia and across Africa. Old World porcupines are terrestrial and strictly nocturnal, and have longer quills. Porcupine Habitat. The porcupine feeds largely on the inner bark of trees in winter, but it will also feed on a variety of other plants. There are 18 species in this family. The New World porcupines live in North and South America. Old World Porcupines – Hystricidae. They range in size from 17-32 inches in length. The New World porcupines are primarily found in the Americas; whereas, the Old World porcupines are often found in Europe, Asia and Africa. Porcupines occupy a short range of habitats in tropical and temperate parts of Asia, Southern Europe, Africa, and North and South America. The Old World porcupines live in southern Europe, Asia (western and southern), and most of Africa. They include the largest porcupine species, the African Cape porcupine, whose extremely long spines (up to 20 inches), can be raised like a crest to make them appear twice as large. Old World porcupines have spines or quills grouped in clusters, while the quills are attached separately for New World porcupines. American porcupines. No porcupine can throw its quills, but they detach easily and will remain embedded in an attacker. Old world porcupines. The 11 Old World porcupines tend to be fairly large, and have spikes grouped in clusters. Old World porcupines (Hystricidae) have quills embedded in clusters, whereas in New World porcupines (Erethizontidae) single quills are interspersed with bristles, underfur, and hair. May 10, 2018 - Infraorder: Hystricognathi; Family Hystricidae: Old World porcupines. Old World porcupine (plural Old World porcupines) Any of the large, spiny-furred rodents of the family Hystricidae , native to the southern Eurasia and Africa . Porcupine quills are as sharp as needles, can be removed very easily, and will stay stuck in an attacker. Old World porcupines are one of the few animals on the planet that are monogamous. MOLECULAR PHYLOGENY OF THE OLD WORLD PORCUPINES (FAMILY HYSTRICIDAE) 3 J. Habitat and Range ), they use their tails when climbing, are not as nocturnal and are mostly smaller. They weigh between 12 and 25 pounds. The Old World porcupines, or Hystricidae, are large terrestrial rodents, distinguished by the spiny covering from which they take their name. Size varies according to species, ranging from 25 to 36 inches long plus an 8 to 10 inch tail. The body measures 38-71 cm long and weighs up to 27 kg. What sets porcupines apart from most rodents is their ability to protect themselves with their large spines, also called quills. The 11 species (3 genera) of this family are found in Africa and Asia. They are characterized by the thick spines which cover their bodies. They can be found burrowing in cavities and holes among tree roots along river banks (Khan, 1992; Choe, 2006). The Old World porcupines belong to family Hystricidae of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Some species of New World porcupines live in trees, however, Old World porcupines are exclusively terrestrial (ground dwellers). Old World porcupines can be any species of rodents in the family Hystricidae. Let’s have a look at the porcupine’s main predators. New World porcupines have small quills that are around 4 inches (10 cm) long, while Old World porcupines have quills that can grow up to 20 inches … Porcupines live in forests, deserts, rocky outcrops and hillsides. The “Old World” porcupines live mainly in southern Europe, Asia, and Africa. Quills actually are released through contact and sometimes a few may fall out when a porcupine shakes its body vigorously. 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