PREHENSILE TAILED PORCUPINECoendou prehensilis ORDERRodentia FAMILYErethizontidae HABITAT AND RANGEThey live in the forests of the northeastern parts of South America. IDENTIFICATIONLike most porcupines, Prehensile-Tailed Porcupines have sharp quills. They also have a distinguishing large nose, and a long tail it can use to grasp onto objects with. Their body color can range from yellowish to black. They are approximately 41 inches total length, half of that being the tail, and weigh up to 11 lbs. DIETLeaves, shoots, flowers, and the cambium layer below the bark of some trees. REPRODUCTION AND LIFESPANMating pairs have only one offspring, and can live for about 15 years. There is no particular breeding season, and not much is known about their courtship rituals. NOTESNo porcupine can shoot its quills at predators, but they do detach easily when contacted, and puncture skin easily. Prehensile-Tailed Porcupines are great climbers, aided by their prehensile tail, that acts like a 5th hand. They are nocturnal, and tend to forage in pairs while awake, and will sleep in small groups.
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