I find it funny that the hardest part with writing these Wild Facts is coming up with the opening line for the post.  I guess I am just not very “sharp” this evening.  I am usually pretty good at small talk but after 200 and some facts it is getting difficult.  What the heck am I going to come up with as I get closer to 1000? Maybe I should hire someone to write a bunch of ice-breaking opening statements. Any takers? 🙂 . Well today we are going to look at another rodent.  Come on you know you enjoyed yesterday’s rodent so why not learn about another one? We are going to look at the Indian Crested Porcupine. This particular porcupine is a member of the Old World Porcupines and can be found throughout the Middle East and Southern Asia.

The Indian Crested Porcupine can weigh up to 20 kg (44 lbs) and get as long as 1 metre (3′) so they are fairly big rodents.  Much larger than our cute, little Dormouse which we saw yesterday.  Generally you don’t want to mess with porcupines but you definitely don’t want to mess with the Indian Crested Porcupine. They are known to be extremely defensive and obviously have very sharp quills that can do some major damage.  Their quills are the most distinctive feature so let’s take a second to learn a little more about them, shall we?  The longest quills of the Indian Crested Porcupine can grow up to 1/3 of their body length. Of course I will do the math for you.  This means that a 3′ long porcupine can have quills up to 1 foot long.  YIKES! These longer quills have often been known to provide a fatal blow to the oncoming predator.

Of course not all of their quills are this long but the shorter ones also play an important role in self-defense.  The Indian Crested Porcupine is able to create a very loud rattling noise with the shorter quills.  This is their attempt to be proactive and warn everyone in the area that they are coming through and don’t want to be messed with! Next time you are walking through the “rough” part of town just bring a baby rattle with you.  Let me know how it works out! As a result of the dangerous quills only a few animals are brave enough to attack a Indian Crested Porcupine including tigers and leopards.

Indian Crested Porcupine Fast Fact – A male porcupine is called Boar while the female is called a Sow.  A group of porcupines are known as, wait for it……… a “prickle”.  I know! Finally a clever naming convention!

Have a great day everyone!