Indian Crested Porcupine
I.U.C.N status
International Union for Conservation of Nature
Identity card
Roots, bulbs, berries...
Did you know?
Porcupines, mainly nocturnal, spend their days in burrows dug with their claws. At birth, the young have open eyes and soft quills. As they grow, the quills harden and become their main means of defence. When they feel threatened, they raise their quills and rattle the hollow spines located at the base of their tail. When backing away, the quills embed themselves in the attacker’s flesh and are nearly impossible to remove.
Threats and conservation
The Indian crested porcupine is hunted throughout its range, mainly for its meat. Considered a pest, it causes significant damage to crops by feeding on cultivated plants. It can also be very destructive to gardens as it digs burrows and consumes plant resources. As a result, this species is unfortunately not protected by any conservation measures.
