North American Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum)

No photo of the North American Porcupine available.

The North American Porcupine is from the order Rodentia. The largest group of mammals is the Rodentia. A rough generalisation is most non-flying mammals are rodents. Prairie Dogs, beavers, porcupines and many others are classified as rodents.

The North American Porcupine was first reported by Linnaeus, 1758. In general members of this order are found all over the world, except for Antarctica. The largest living rodent weighs around 50 kilograms or 110 pounds, and this is called the capybara. The capybara has been known to reach weights of 70 kilograms!. On the other hand, rodents can be as small as 5 grams such as the pygmy mice. Rodents can be herbivorous or omnivorous, and some feed on insects. Others are known to be partially carnivorous.

The North American Porcupine has a single pair of incisors in each jaw. These teeth will grow continually throughout its life. It has a high rate of reproduction, and this is one key factor in attributing to the success of this species.

The North American Porcupine is found in (but not necessarily limited to) the United States of America.

 

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