The igloosherst or tree porcupine (photo of the animal can be found in this article) belongs to the order of rodents from the mammalian family. There are 4 genera, which, according to some sources, combine 12 species, and according to others - 23. The bulk of the species lives in South America, from northern Argentina to Ecuador and Mexico. There they appeared back in the Oligocene period. In North America, only one species is common - porcupine, which has been living there since the end of the Pliocene.
Wood porcupine, depending on the species, belongs to medium or large rodents. The body length ranges from 45 to 90 cm, and weight can reach 18 kg. His massive body is covered with a fairly thick hairline, on the tail turning into bristles. Sharp needles are located in the tail and on the back of the animal, their length can be from 2.5 to 11 cm. The wood porcupine has a long and tenacious tail.
Acupuncture lives in forest areas of the tropical and temperate zones. Perfectly adapted to life on trees. They climb perfectly, albeit slowly, on them, some species arrange their nests in hollows. Others settle in crevices of rocks or at the roots of large trees. The tree porcupine prefers a solitary life, although under certain circumstances it can temporarily let a guest in.
The activity of these animals mainly falls at night and twilight. In cold weather they prefer to sit out in their nests. Porcupine feeds on tree bark, leaves, needles of conifers, various roots, fruits, seedlings and flowers. They can climb a tree 18 meters high for food. Various predators hunt them, it can be foxes, wolves and coyotes, lynxes, bears, but the main enemies for them are the marten family. When a wood porcupine is attacked, it begins to bite and tries to prick the predator with its needles. And they inflict quite painful and inflamed wounds.
The intensity of reproduction in the needles is quite low. Only 1 cub is born from one female per year, but he is large and well developed. Small porcupines are born with open eyes and already developed hairline. They are immediately able to follow their mother and even climb trees. Over the first year of a baby’s life, his hair gradually changes to needles. The female in this period becomes very aggressive, she at the slightest danger not only releases her needles, but also begins to scratch, hit the enemy with her strong tail with serrated needles.
These animals cannot boast a long life span; they live only three years. And this is if they are not attacked by a predator or a person. The fact is that not only animals, but also local residents like to feast on wood porcupine meat. The needletail does not cause noticeable harm. The damage that it can cause is damage, or rather, ringing of trees. Occasionally, he can enter the fields of farmers for grain, but more trample than eat. These animals are very fond of salt and can gnaw through a wall in a person’s tent to find lard or any other traces of salt there, even sweaty clothes of a person will be used. At first glance, a wood porcupine may seem awkward, but do not underestimate it. A hulking animal is actually very sharp. For example, scientists have to work hard to replace batteries with collar-mounted transmitters. To do this, they mask cells well in foliage and lay the bait in them. But these tricks somehow recognize the deception and ignore even the juicy apples laid out there.