Hedgehog is a name used to refer to different species in mammals which have a body covered by pointed structures, which are popularly called “thorns”. the thorns of these animals they are used to defend against predators, detaching easily from the body as soon as they are touched. This is an important adaptation since porcupines are relatively slow animals. Porcupines are found in different parts of the world, including Brazil.
Read more: Mammals that inhabit the Cerrado
Hedgehog Summary
Porcupines are animals that have a body covered with modified hairs that resemble thorns.
There are different species of porcupines, which vary in size and weight.
The thorns, as they are popularly called, are used as a form of defense by the animal.
Porcupines are unable to release the spines.
The spines of porcupines have no venom.
Porcupines have a diet that varies according to the species studied. Some feed, for example, on plant materials.
Porcupines are currently under threat due to habitat destruction and hunting.
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General characteristics of porcupines
the porcupines are mammals rodents that live in the terrestrial environment and have their bodies covered with extremely hard modified hair, which are popularly called thorns. These structures act as a protection against predators, being able to easily penetrate the skin of those who touch them.
Unlike what many people think, the spines of porcupines have no toxins. However, they can cause skin lesions in predators, which can serve as a gateway to bacteria that can provoke intense infections. Infections caused by bacteria can even lead to death.
Another point that deserves clarification is the fact that porcupines are not able to hurl their thorns against those who threaten themm. In reality, the spines are loosely attached to the animal's body, so when they are touched, they come off easily, catching on the body of the one who has touched the porcupine.
See also: Otter - mammalian animal with a semiaquatic habit
New World and Old World hedgehogs
Porcupines are grouped into two distinct groups: New World and Old World.
- New World Hedgehogs: this group includes the Hedgehogs of the family erethizontidae, which are found in the America. According to data from The Animal Diversity Web, in the family erethizontidae 12 species are found, which are included within four genera. New World hedgehogs are animals that normally live alone or in pairs. They are nocturnal animals and can be found in different habitats, including forests, deserts and open grasslands. In some species, there is the presence of a prehensile tail, which helps them to move through the trees.
Old World Porcupines: are present in the Africa and Asia and are part of the familyHystricidity. In this family, according to The Animal Diversity Web, there are 11 species, distributed in three genera. Old World hedgehogs stand out for being excellent diggers, not being able to climb trees.
Read too: Capybara - lives in flocks and near water
Porcupines feeding
There are different species of porcupines, each with specific eating habits. While some species feed on plant material, for example, others feed on small animals.
The porcupines of the New World feed mainly on plant material, being included in their diet. sheets, stems, roots, seeds, flowers and fruits. In some cases, these animals are responsible for killing trees by feeding on the bark of these plants. Some species also feed on small insects and reptiles.
As far as the Old World hedgehogs are concerned, they stand out for including in their feeding plant material and also carrion, being common the presence of gnawed bones near the burrow of these animals.
Threats to porcupines
Porcupines, as well as a number of other animals, suffer from the destruction of its habitat. Although this is an important factor in the decline in the population of these animals, it is not the only one.
OHedgehogs also suffer from hunting, which aims to obtain meat and so-called bezoars. You bezoars they are plant materials that are not digested and accumulate in porcupines' viscera. They are marketed mainly in China, due to the belief that they have medicinal properties, as in the treatment of cancer.
It is noteworthy, however, that there are no studies that prove the medicinal properties of these materials. In addition, many porcupines are killed by farmers whose crops are threatened by these animals.
By Vanessa Sardinha dos Santos
Biology teacher
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
SANTOS, Vanessa Sardinha dos. "Hedgehog"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/animais/porco-espinho.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.