New World porcupine

Urson ( Erethizon dorsatum )

The porcupines or Neuweltstachelschweine ( Erethizontidae ) are a family from the order of rodents. They are similar in physique to the porcupines ( Hystricidae ) of the Old World. Although both groups belong to the porcupine relatives ( Hystricognatha ), but should not be very closely related, the similarities are based only on convergence. Porcupines are common throughout the American continent from Alaska to northern Argentina.

Description

It is cumbersome built, relatively large rodents that are adapted in contrast to the porcupines to a certain degree of a climbing lifestyle. The balls are widened and the great toe usually regressed. The tail is long and spineless developed at the gripping Stach learning and the South American porcupines and prehensile tail. The spines consists of modified, short hair, which are individually anchored in the skin muscles as opposed to the porcupines. The body length of these animals varied from 30 to 90 centimeters, the weight can be up to 18 kg at Urson.

Way of life

Porcupines are in greater extent than porcupine tree dwellers who can climb well. They are generally nocturnal and live singly or in pairs. Forests are the preferred habitat of most species, but the Urson can also occur in grasslands or rocky area. The food of these animals is composed of plant material such as bark, buds, tree needles, roots, leaves and fruits.

System

The family includes five genera and about 13 species:

• The Urson or tree porcupine ( Erethizon dorsatum ) is widely used in Canada and the United States and the largest member of its family.
• The Bergstachler ( Echinoprocta rufescens ) inhabits a small area in Colombia. About this species is little known.
• The five species of porcupine ( Coendou ) are named after their prehensile tail.
• The South American porcupines ( Sphiggurus ) are closely related to the gripping Stach learning and are sometimes classified in the same genus.
• The Borstenbaumstachler ( Chaetomys subspinosus ) lives in southeast Brazil. It is disputed whether he belongs to the tree Stach learning or the sting rats.