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Porcupines Life Cycle

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Porcupines Life Cycle

The porcupine is most easily recognized from its long quills that are used in defense. A member of the rodent family, the porcupine can be found in temperate and tropical parts of Asia, Italy, Africa and the Americas.

  1. Mating

    • Porcupines mate in autumn and early winter. Males emit a high-pitched squeak when advertising for a mate.

    Birth

    • One or two baby porcupines are born with soft quills and shut eyes. After 10 days, their eyes open.

    Young Porcupines

    • After two weeks, porcupines eat solid food, but nurse for up to five months.

    Life Expectancy

    • A porcupine in the wild can be expected to live for five to six years. In captivity, their life span can be almost twice as long.

    Predators

    • Animals such as wolves or mountain lions are predators of the porcupine, but often end up with a face full of quills. To defend itself, the porcupine slaps the predator with its tail, and several three-inch-long quills detach and lodge into the hapless victim.

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  • Photo Credit MorgueFile: ajenyon

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