Animals of the world - Card 17 - Porcupine

This card has a number of shalllow creases with a small amount of ancient sticky tape on the top and bottom edges. It has the amusing note "hell animal". Nuff said. Card number 17 of 64. Text says:

Animals of the World

A Series of 64

17

Porcupine

(Hystrix crystata)

Porcupines are rodents and are exclusively vegetarian. The long sharp quills that cover the body are for protection, but they cannot, as legend suggests, shoot out their quills at an enemy. They can, and do, however, run backards against dogs etc, inflicting nasty wounds.

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The following video is an funny view of a somewhat domesticated and happy porcupine. Note the handler is wearing thick gloves...

Which is quite different from the following clip of an African porcupine which shows a much wilder and visibly capable animal. As you can see wiser animals are wary of injuries from porcupines. It goes without saying that younger anaimals (and dogs) are not always wise...

Porcupines as a species are quite diverse, and can be found in may parts of the world. The type described on the card above are normally found in Italy, North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. They have also bee seen in parts of Western Asia.

Individual populations are thought to be in general decline, one reason cited is that porcupine meat is considered a delicacy in some areas. Unfortunately only a limited amount of study into porcupine populations has been made. Quills from different types, particularly Northern American, are somtimes found in indigenous artwork and tools.