Himalayan Porcupine

Porcupine or Himalayan Porcupine is a species of rodent in the family Hystricidea. Three subspecies are extant in asia. Porcupines are famous for their prickly covering. It have boldly marked quills with black and white bands. Some quills can be up to 20 inches (51 centimeters) long. Each quill has a muscle at its base. These long, pliable quills act as guard hairs and form a "skirt." When the porcupine is excited or scared, those muscles squeeze to make the quills stand up so the porcupine looks bigger. If a predator still tries to come close, the porcupine can shake and rattle those quills as a warning. It con be found from sea level to 1300m. It is found in dense forest as well as open areas. It digs into the ground and inhabits near rocky areas and also in the hole of tree barks or roots, where it lives in small groups. They normally feed on roots, tubers, bark and fallen fruits. It searches of food at night and rests during the day.