he North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum), also known as the Canadian porcupine, is a large quill-covered in the family. It is the second largest rodent in North America after the (Castor canadensis).
The word "porcupine" comes from the middle or old French word porcespin, which means 'thorn pig'. Its roots derive from the words porcus or pig and spina meaning thorns.
The most distinguishing feature of the porcupine is its coat of quills. An adult porcupine has about 30,000 quills that cover all of its body except its underbelly, face, and feet. Quills are modified hairs formed into sharp, barbed, hollow spines. They are used primarily for defense, but also serve to insulate their bodies during winter.
During the summer, they eat twigs, roots, stems, berries, leaves, and other vegetation. Porcupines also eat certain insects and nuts. In the winter, they mainly eat conifer needles and tree bark.
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Animals On Earth: North America
RandomWe will talk about animals all over the world the books will be separated into groups. From the Americas, Africa, Asia, India, Australia, To The Ocean. From Moose to Crocodiles to Ducks To Wolves To Otters To Orcas each book has diffrent animals! W...
