Himalayan Porcupine

Taxobox
name = Himalayan Porcupine
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo = Rodentia
familia = Hystricidae
genus = "Hystrix"
species = "H. hodgsoni"
binomial = "Hystrix hodgsoni"The Himalayan or Chinese Porcupine ("Hystrix hodgsoni") is a species of porcupine found in eastern Asia. It is found in Nepal, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo. This porcupine species is social, living in small family groups which settle in caves and rock crevices. They are also nocturnal forest-dwellers. Tall quills cover the porcupine's neck, back, and short tail. When attacked, the Himalayan porcupine erects its quills, rattles them together (strangely, many quilled animals adopt quills for sound threats), and stamp its feet. If all else fails, the porcupine backs into its enemy and stabs it with its quills. The quills can detach, but they can create deep wounds. When born, the Himalayan porcupine has fur, open eyes, and quills hours after birth. The Himalayan porcupine is herbivorous, eating mostly leaves, fruit, bark, and roots.

External links

* [http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/parks/hkzbg/en/animals_21.php# Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens]