Porcupine habitats range from deserts, forests and grasslands. The New World porcupines are primarily found in the Americas; whereas, the Old World porcupines are often found in Europe, Asia and Africa. The word porcupine comes from the old french word porcespin, which roughly translates as thorn pig. They prefer wooded habitats and are apt at climbing trees. The New World porcupines are indigenous to North America and northern South America. The New World porcupines are indigenous to North America and northern South America. They are found in southern Europe, South East Asia, throughout India and Africa. Resources. They can be found burrowing in cavities and holes among tree roots along river banks (Khan, 1992; Choe, 2006). Porcupines with short quills around 4 inches (10 cm) long belong to the New World, while porcupines with quills that can grow up to 20 inches (51 cm) long, though there are some exceptions, belong to the Old World. (Hystricidae is the old scientific name for the family of rodents to which the porcupine belongs. " Some species of New World porcupines live in trees, however, Old World porcupines are exclusively terrestrial (ground dwellers). Porcupines have rounded bodies covered with fur in shades of brown, white, and gray. Habitat and Range Sci. See more ideas about porcupine, old world, rodents. The Crested Porcupine of North Africa and Italy is the fourth largest rodent and can weigh as much as 60 pounds (27 kg). MOLECULAR PHYLOGENY OF THE OLD WORLD PORCUPINES (FAMILY HYSTRICIDAE) 3 J. They live in forests and deserts, and on rocky outcrops and hillsides. The “Old World” porcupines live mainly in southern Europe, Asia, and Africa. Old World porcupines have spines or quills grouped in clusters, while the quills are attached separately for New World porcupines. Size varies according to species, ranging from 25 to 36 inches long plus an 8 to 10 inch tail. The New World porcupines are 19 species of forest dwellers of the family Erethizontidae. In taxonomic terms, they form the family Hystricidae. 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 … Hystricidae a family of mammals of the order Rodentia, comprising the Old World porcupines. Old World Porcupines have cluster quills and the single quills of New World Porcupines are interspersed with hair, under fur and bristles. Porcupines occupy a short range of habitats in tropical and temperate parts of Asia, Southern Europe, Africa, and North and South America. 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. They are found in North, Central and South America. The Old World porcupines live in southern Europe, Asia (western and southern), and most of Africa. The porcupines stomach is the only area not protected by quills. Old World porcupines can be any species of rodents in the family Hystricidae. Porcupines live in forests, deserts, rocky outcrops and hillsides. They include the large crested porcupines, some of which can grow more than 2 … Back to top Feeding. They range in size from 17-32 inches in length. The Old World porcupines live in southern Europe, Asia and across Africa. Some New World porcupines live in trees, but Old World porcupines stay on the rocks. Larger individuals can reach a length of 33 inches and can weigh 29-59 lbs. Males and females, in both the old and the new world look about the same. "Hystricidae is the most enigmatic. Erethizontidae - New World porcupines. The spikes of old world porcupines are longer and exist in clusters interspersed with shorter quills. ), they use their tails when climbing, are not as nocturnal and are mostly smaller. Keywords: 1900s, 20th century, Brehms Tierleben, color, Hystricidae, mammal, reference book, rodent. They weigh between 12 and 25 pounds. They are large, terrestrial, and strictly nocturnal. The Old World porcupines belong to family Hystricidae of Europe, Asia, and Africa. The 11 Old World porcupines are almost exclusively terrestrial, tend to be fairly large, and have quills that are grouped in clusters. Old world porcupines. This group consists of large, nocturnal, land-based animals. There are 11 species within the old world porcupine family; they tend to be nocturnal and larger than the new world family with a couple of exceptions. Two families of rodents are called porcupines. The Old World porcupines, or Hystricidae, are large terrestrial rodents, distinguished by the spiny covering from which they take their name. Porcupine Habitat. New World porcupines are much smaller, and many varieties live in trees. Most people chose this as the best definition of old-world-porcupines: Plural form of Old World... See the dictionary meaning, pronunciation, and sentence examples. The species of new world porcupines use their long curved claws to climb trees and also, they have tails that make their grip on the trees. The old world porcupines can swim well, but they don’t have the ability to climb or jump much whereas, the new world porcupines live on trees. Manage. However, they still have a lot of natural predators who hunt them against all odds. May 10, 2018 - Infraorder: Hystricognathi; Family Hystricidae: Old World porcupines. 3. 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 . Old world porcupines are larger and heavily built. The 11 Old World porcupines tend to be fairly large, and have spikes grouped in clusters. Let’s have a look at the porcupine’s main predators. The New World porcupines live in North and South America. The porcupine feeds largely on the inner bark of trees in winter, but it will also feed on a variety of other plants. No porcupine can throw its quills, but they detach easily and will remain embedded in an attacker. The caption reads in the original German: Stachelschwein. Old World porcupines (Hystricidae) have quills in clusters, whereas in New World porcupines (Erethizontidae) single quills are mixed with bristles, underfur, and hair. Quills actually are released through contact and sometimes a few may fall out when a porcupine shakes its body vigorously. Old World porcupines are terrestrial and strictly nocturnal, and have longer quills. Porcupine quills are as sharp as needles, can be removed very easily, and will stay stuck in an attacker. Old World porcupines are mostly terrestrial, meaning they live on the ground, and are quite large. 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. Old-world porcupines (Order: Rodentia Family: Hystricidae) face many threats, including an increasing demand for their different body parts such as meat, quills, hairs and bezoars.Bezoars are masses of undigested organic and inorganic material that are occasionally formed in an animal’s gastrointestinal tract. 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). American porcupines. Old World porcupines (Hystricidae) have quills embedded in clusters, whereas in New World porcupines (Erethizontidae) single quills are interspersed with bristles, underfur, and hair. Porcupines do not throw their quills. Porcupines. They are also smaller and more diurnal than their Old World counterparts. They are characterized by the thick spines which cover their bodies. Porcupines also occur in Africa and Asia, but Old World porcupines do not belong to the same family as New World porcupines. 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. No porcupine can throw its quills, but they detach easily and will remain embedded in an attacker. The Old World porcupines live in southern Europe, Asia, and most of Africa. 8. The body measures 38-71 cm long and weighs up to 27 kg. They make a den in the trees or live in tangled tree roots. Old World porcupines are one of the few animals on the planet that are monogamous. Porcupines have long spiny barbed hairs or quills. They all have at least some hair modified into quills. 2008 , Barbara A. 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