Porcupine

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The Porcupine is recognised as "porcupine" in English that consists than the combination of two Latin words that mean the thorny pig.

The porcupines (Hystricidae) constitute a family of rodents. The occasionally encountered "Altweltliche porcupines" be accepted from the American Baumstachlern or "tree barbed pigs" aloof.

Characteristics
The porcupines have the longest spines of all mammals. It is actually converted hair. The dress of porcupines found a variety of hair types: soft Wollhaare, stiffer hair, bristles flat, thick, very flexible, long bristles and rigid, long round skewers. Individual skewers can be up to 40 inches long and have a diameter of 7 mm. The spikes are sharp and can cause inflammation. Contrary to the old ideas shoot porcupines with their spines. You use them but to ward off enemies.

Dissemination and habitat
The distribution area covers the tropical and subtropical Asia, and Africa. Whether Southern Europe is a natural part of the region is spreading, or by human introduction tapped, has not been clarified. The emphasis of the family is on Southeast Asia, where most widespread species.

Porcupines are in a variety of habitats to be found, from the semi-desert on the grassy savannah to the tropical rain forest.

Behavior
Porcupines live on the ground. Some species digging courses, others hiding in rocks or building other animals. At night, they go on a search for their plant food.

Systematics
It divides the porcupines into two subfamilies, which Hystricinae and Atherurinae, which included three classes:

Family porcupines (Hystricidae)

* Subfamily Hystricinae
O genus Actual porcupines (Hystrix)
* Subfamily Atherurinae
O genus Pinselstachler (Trichys)
O genus Quastenstachler (Atherurus)

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