They have a very varied diet, allowing them to attack sheep, rabbits, and hares, as well as any rodents. The porcupine uses its sharp quills to inflict harm to any would-be predators that get within close range. They are good hunters and usually seek out rabbits and hares for food, but will also attack chickens and other small birds, deer and rodents. As human populations expand, humans and porcupines find themselves in increasingly close quarters. They are smoked out of their burrows and hunted with spears, nets, or dogs. These predators kill a porcupine by biting its unprotected face or by flipping it over to expose the vulnerable underside. Porcupines have rounded bodies c… They are not poisonous, but they still pose a danger of infecting the wounded tissue. Let’s have a look at the porcupine’s main predators. There are around 24 different species of porcupines across the globe and one thing that’s common among them is their pointed quills. For this reason, porcupines do not have to fear being eaten by very many animals. Surprisingly, however, studies show that porcupines can actually kill lions, if not seriously injure them. But even that doesn’t guarantee a victory. Diet. If that doesn't work, they may charge backwards into the predator. In an effort to remove the quills, the predator can cause the barbed quills to work into the deep tissues. The scent of some of the porcupine’s predators is beneficial. Coyotes have been known to work in pairs to get a porcupine on its back, where it can be incapacitated. Get smart with the Thesis WordPress Theme from DIYthemes. Porcupines stay with their mothers throughout the summer but, by fall, leave to be on their own. If you are interested, visit the Animal Facts Page! They do not have canine teeth. Porcupines use the quills as a defense. For this reason, porcupines do not have to fear being eaten by very many animals. Top 8 Predators of Porcupines that Eat Porcupines. Carnivorous predators are broken up into an additional two types: those that primarily scavenge carcasses, and those that primarily hunt and kill prey on their own. In fact, Vietnam is famous for having a massively declining porcupine population as a result.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'factsking_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_3',128,'0','0'])); It is more common to find porcupines’ quills used for decoration in Native American clothing and headdresses.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'factsking_com-box-4','ezslot_4',129,'0','0'])); The fisher, or North American marten, is a fierce predator of the American porcupines. The North American porcupine is an herbivore; it eats leaves, herbs, twigs, and green plants such as clover. Porcupines have needles to protect themselves. They can attack the unprotected face of the porcupine or find ways to flip it over, at which point the porcupine is defenceless. Let’s have a look at the porcupine’s main predators. A veterinarian should treat pets that have had a run-in with a porcupine. Moreover, the most … As you have seen above, the belief that porcupines can shoot out their spines is false. Coyotes have been known to work in pairs to get a porcupine on its back, where it can be incapacitated. Porcupines are covered with quills that painfully stick into almost any predator that tries to attack them. The porcupine is best known for its sharp spikes and fierce look, helping it shield itself from predators. Rodents make up about 40% of all the mammal species on Earth. Some quills can get up to a foot (30 centimeters) long, like those on the Africa's crested porcupine, according to National Geographic. They also like to eat outhouses, if you happen to have one. So if you see wood-handled tools or canoe paddles knawed on, it just might be a porcupine. They wear a coat of sharp quills all over their body. When porcupine populations close to cultivated areas surge, they can become serious agricultural pests. The smallest porcupine is the Rothschilds Porcupine from South America which weighs only 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds). However, they still have a lot of natural predators who hunt them against all odds. New World porcupines’ predators include martens, wolverines, pythons, eagles, and great-horned owls. What sets porcupines apart from most rodents is their ability to protect themselves with their large spines, also called quills. These predators kill a porcupine by biting its unprotected face or by flipping it over to expose the vulnerable underside. There are two different families of porcupines. Herbivorous predators, like krill, horses, and porcupines, consume autotrophs. The best thing to do is to avoid them completely so neither you, your pets or porcupines get hurt. Coyotes are smaller than their relative the grey wolf, yet can cause quite a lot of damage to domestic households and will prey on chickens and other birds. It is a large rodent encountered equally in the “Old World” and in North America and northern South America. Predators do not want to be stuck with the needles so they avoid hunting and eat this animal. Porcupines have special adaptations to help them chew. Bobcats, cougars and fishers have learned that a porcupine has no quills on its stomach. Although they are not as attractive to hunt as many other wild animals from which the fur or the meat can be used immediately, porcupines are sought after by people in Southeast Asia, especially Vietnam, for eating. The major difference between Old and New world species is that the Old World porcupines live on the ground and often in small groups, while the New World porcupin… And here you have the list of predators of the porcupine, despite all their adaptations! Porcupines are well-known for their long, sharp quills that warn just about everyone to keep their distance. The “Old World” porcupines live mainly in southern Europe, Asia, and Africa. One porcupine predator, the fisher, is able to flip the North American porcupine onto its back, exposing its unprotected belly. Humans who have embedded quills should consult a physician immediately. However, other species of porcupines are found in South America and Africa, and they have many predators. Most wildlife have some sort of adaptation to protect themselves against predators and rivals. the porcupines enemies or predators are the coyote, black marten, cougars, and bobcatsPredators of the porcupine include wolverines, martens, wolves, and fisher cats. Porcupines are rodents with an interesting way to protect themselves from predators. It gives porcupines the feeling that their predators are around, and then they’ll leave your yard. But the fisher is the one that porcupines fear the most as it is more specialized in dealing with them. Porcupines have a prickly and very dangerous supply of sharp quills. Porcupines are herbivores and especially like wood. The only problem with this trick is that it does not last. Bobcats, cougars and fishers have learned that a porcupine has no quills on its stomach. The largest porcupine is the African Porcupine which can weigh over 20 kilograms (44 pounds). The keratinous quills are modified hairs that grow back when shed and serve the important purpose of protecting these rodents from predators. I hope that this article on porcupine predators was helpful! Fishers are a primary predator of porcupines, but quills have been found embedded in coyotes, cougars, bobcats, foxes, lynxes, bears, wolves and even Great Horned Owls. Contrary to some wildlife folklore, porcupines cannot “shoot” quills, rather their barbed quills penetrate and stick upon contact with any animal or object that it finds threatening. The smell has been described as similar to strong human body odor, goats, or some cheeses. The predators who attack the porcupines sharing one burrow are great horned owls, leopards, coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions and wolves. Furthermore, they make a clattering sound that deters predators, and when they raise their spines, they look a lot like a skunk, which can also confuse any other animal looking to hunt a porcupine. The odor is generated by a patch of skin called the rosette, on the lower back where modified quills serve as osmetrichia to broadcast the smell. Porcupines have a relatively high longevity and have held the record for being the longest-living rodent, with one individual living to 27 years, until the record was broken in 2002 by a naked mole-rat living to 28 years. The most obvious trait is the long, sharp quills that cover their bodies. Three animals, however, has figured out how to eat porcupines. If you check YouTube, you can probably find a video of a leopard dying of wounds inflicted by a crested porcupine it attacked. Moreover, great horned owls are also the only predators that feed on skunks as a matter of course, which makes the porcupine more exposed as their appearance cannot put off owls (as it would other predators who are not interested in skunks for prey). A porcupine eats tender bark and twigs, along with other types of vegetation. And, what do porcupines eat? Yes, mountain lions, humans, bears, fisher cats, great horned owls all prey upon porcupines. So one of these predators will sometimes kill and eat a porcupine by flipping it onto its back and biting into its vulnerable belly. Snakes have also died after swallowing porcupines. This specie have however developed an advanced defense mechanism that makes predators think twice before they consider them for a meal. For the most part, predators leave porcupines alone. The great horned owl is a well-known predator of the porcupine, presumably due to a combination of intelligence (so knowing how to attack it in the ways it is vulnerable) and dexterity. When the porcupine does attack, it moves its tail to hit its quills against the predator. Specifically with porcupines, coyotes have been seen attacking them in pairs – flipping them on their backs and feeding on their bellies. Predators sometimes succumb to quills. Contrary to popular belief, porcupines cannot shoot their quills at someone. Fishers are uniquely adapted to attack porcupines because of their size – they often go for the unprotected face, whilst bigger predators try to attack the full body and struggle with the quills.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'factsking_com-banner-1','ezslot_1',130,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'factsking_com-banner-1','ezslot_2',130,'0','1'])); The bobcat is part of the lynx family in North America, living predominantly in woodland but also in semi-desert as it is a very adaptable animal. The fisher is the only habitual predator of the porcupine, and may suppress populations of this rodent. Predators: Many animals occasionally kill porcupines, especially young ones. All in all, they are very well-suited for life in the wild and have lived a long time thanks to their adaptations. (Vaughn, et al., 2000) All porcupines have long claws. However, the quills do detach easily when touched, and microscopic barbs make removal difficult, once embedded in flesh. Mammal Tracks and Sign: A Guide to North American Species. However, they still have a lot of natural predators who hunt them against all odds. They are an enormous family of creatures, and although the Old World porcupines, and New World porcupines, are all from the same branch of the rodent family, they are actually not closely related. But think about it. The North American porcupine has a strong odor to warn away predators, which it can increase when agitated. Now that is curious. They do not. Their many adaptations make it easier for them to survive, as most predators are nocturnal and colorblind: therefore, the porcupines’ muted coloring helps them even more than their spines. Sources: Elbroch, Mark. These include the coyote, red fox, black bear, bobcat, mink, marten, long-tailed weasel, ermine, and great horned owl. But few animals know this porcupine-eating trick. The same approach as the marten would apply for attacking a porcupine, where the bobcat would look to turn it over and expose its belly to be able to effectively attack it.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'factsking_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_5',131,'0','0'])); Another North American predator of the porcupine is the coyote, another versatile predator who can be found far and wide in the United States, constantly enlarging its territory. What sets porcupines apart from most rodents is their ability to protect themselves with their large spines, also called quills. All porcupines have a few traits in common. Porcupines cannot shoot them at predators as once thought, but the quills do detach easily when touched. Their quills can indeed be released, but through other mechanisms, such as contact. Predators have different means of killing and eating porcupines. They also have a special arrangment of their jaw muscles which helps them to chew more efficiently. Porcupines are covered with quills that painfully stick into almost any predator that tries to attack them. Best Answer. This allows an animal to draw in its lips while gnawing. Elephants have their size and tusks, lions have sharp teeth and claws and even a tiny bee has a sting to ward off danger. Fishers are a primary predator of porcupines, but quills have been found embedded in coyotes, cougars, bobcats, foxes, lynxes, bears, wolves and even Great Horned Owls. Mechanicsburg, PA. A fisher would attack the porcupine in order to eat it and they are known in the United States as maybe the foremost predator of porcupines, presumably because they like the taste of their meat. Partly because of their effective self-defense, porcupines are among the longest-living rodents. Porcupines do not carry any communicable diseases that are of concern to humans, except, as with any mammal, they can contract rabies. As do wolves and coyotes. Rodents like porcupines are usually easy prey to a range of predators. These animals have learned that flipping a porcupine on its back exposes its unprotected underside and leaves it basically defenseless. Porcupines vary in size considerably depending on species, however, they generally measure 60 – 90 centimetres (25 – 36 inches) in length (excluding tail which measures 20 – 25 centimetres (8 – 10 inches)) and weigh between 5 – 16 kilograms (12 – 35 pounds). Wolves are extremely social creatures and often hunt in a pack. The “Old World” porcupines live mainly in southern Europe, Asia, and Africa. Let's have a look at how they do this. As a result of this injury, the lion had difficulty continuing to hunt and couldn’t remove the quill, therefore resorted to attacking humans, which lions wouldn’t normally do. eval(ez_write_tag([[320,50],'factsking_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_6',127,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[320,50],'factsking_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_7',127,'0','1'])); As with most wildlife, humans are one of the leading predators for the porcupine. A researcher posited that the only reason a lion in that situation was attacking a human was its frailty and the porcupine’s quill was the reason for it.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'factsking_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_9',133,'0','0'])); In North America, mountain lions are especially fond of porcupines and attack them frequently for feeding on them. Quills are released by contact or may drop out when the porcupine shakes its body. Stackpole Books. There is hystricidae, or Old World Porcupines, and Erethizontidae, the New World Porcupines. Three animals, however, has figured out how to eat porcupines. It has been speculated that mountain lions contributed to almost wiping out porcupine populations in places like Nevada (where a 1997 study found that, in three years, the total number of porcupines decreased from 80 to 5, all down to mountain lions’ attacks). These practices have eliminated them from densely settled areas. For the most part, predators leave porcupines alone. Porcupines are smart rodents; when they realize that … There are many carnivorous predators in the world, including wolves, cougars, owls, and snakes. Outhouses collect a lot of urine which is loaded with salt. Plus they have an intense craving for salt. They normally survive many years, with the record in porcupine longevity being 27 years. 2003. A quill from a porcupine can penetrate very deeply into their aggressor, and in one case a lion has been found with a quill that have been penetrated more than six inches into its snout, nearly reaching its brain. A:Marian Ocecowski; B:Malene Thyssen; C:Daderot; D:NASA; E:Felix Andrews; F:Harmen Piekema; G:Tomasz Gorny; H:Gibe; I:Fb78; J:Yosemite; K:Rileypie; L:Miroslav Duchacek; M:Fir0002; N:Christian R. Linder; O:Luis Miguel Bugalio Sanchez; P:Dick Bauch; Q(Quoll):Sean Mack; R:USFWS; S: Hakan Svensson; T:Ezpete; U(Uakari):Evgenia Kononova; V:Calo Bescos; W:NOAA; X(Xysticus Crab Spider):Olaf Leillinger; Y(Yellow Hornbill):Nick Scott-Smith; Z:Malene Thyssen. Predators include fishers, coyotes, bobcats, and mountain lions. However, with such a spiky physique, they would surely have some difficulty in the bedroom. Quills are released by contact or may drop out when the porcupine shakes its body into the deep tissues are! 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