Antonioctj: small improve lead per sources and added references for accuracy

2026-02-18T00:52:01Z

small improve lead per sources and added references for accuracy

>MB: fix convert error

2021-05-11T17:19:50Z

fix convert error

New page

{{Short description|Species of rodent}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{speciesbox
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref =<ref name=iucn>{{cite iucn |title=''Hystrix indica'' |author=Amori, G. |author2=Hutterer, R. |author3=Kryštufek, B. |author4=Yigit, N. |author5=Mitsainas, G. |author6=Palomo, L.|name-list-style=amp |year=2021 |page=e.T10751A197516522}}</ref>
| image = Hystrix indica (Indian Crested Porcupine) at IG Zoological park, Visakhapatnam 03.JPG
| genus = Hystrix
| species = indica
| range_map = Hystrix indica distribution map.png
| authority = [[Robert Kerr (writer)|Kerr]], 1792
}}
The '''Indian crested porcupine''' (''Hystrix indica'') is a [[Hystricomorpha|hystricomorph]] [[rodent]] species native to southern [[Asia]] and the [[Middle East]]. It is listed as [[Least Concern]] on the [[IUCN Red List]]. It belongs to the [[Old World porcupine]] family, Hystricidae.<ref name=iucn />

== Description ==
The Indian crested porcupine is a large rodent, weighing {{cvt|11–18|kg}}.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title = Indian Crested Porcupine (Hystrix indica) - Information on Indian Crested Porcupine - Encyclopedia of Life|url = http://eol.org/pages/326522/overview|website = Encyclopedia of Life|access-date = 2015-11-19}}</ref> Their body (from the nose to the base of the tail) measures between {{cvt|70|and|90|cm}} with the tail adding an additional {{cvt|8-10|cm}}.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|title = The Book of Indian Animals|last = Prater|first = Stanley Henry|publisher = Diocesan Press|year = 1965|location = Bombay}}</ref> The lifespan of wild Indian crested porcupines is unknown, but the oldest known captive individual was a female that lived to be 27.1 years old.<ref name=":0" />

It is covered in multiple layers of modified hair called quills, with longer, thinner quills covering a layer of shorter, thicker ones.<ref name=":0" /> The quills are brown or black with alternating white and black bands.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title = Indian Crested Porcupine|url = http://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/animals/indian-crested-porcupine|website = San Diego Zoo|access-date = 2015-11-19}}</ref> They are made of keratin and are relatively flexible.<ref name=":1" /> Each quill is connected to a muscle at its base, allowing the porcupine to raise its quills when it feels threatened.<ref name=":1" /> The longest quills are located on the neck and shoulder, where the quills form a "skirt" around the animal.<ref name=":1" /> These quills can grow up to 51 cm (20 in) long,<ref name=":1" /> with most measuring between {{cvt|15|and|30|cm}}.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book|title = Field Guide to the Mammals of the Indian Subcontinent|last1 = Gurung|first1 = K.K.|publisher = Academic Press|year = 1996|location = San Diego|last2=Singh|first2=R.}}</ref> Smaller (20 cm) and more rigid quills are packed densely on the back and rump.<ref name=":1" /> These smaller quills are used to stab at potential threats.<ref name=":1" /> The base of the tail contains shorter quills that appear white in color, with longer, hollow quills that the porcupine can rattle to produce a warning sound when threatened.<ref>{{Cite book|title = The Fauna of India|last = Ellerman|first = J.R.|publisher = Manager of Publications|year = 1961|location = New Delhi}}</ref> Contrary to popular belief, Indian crested porcupines (like all porcupines) cannot shoot their quills.<ref name=":1" />

The Indian crested porcupine has a stocky build with a low surface area to volume ratio, which aids in heat conservation.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal|title=Seasonal Energy Requirements and Water Intakes of Indian Crested Porcupines (''Hystrix indica'') in Captivity |jstor=1380887|journal = Journal of Mammalogy |date=1986 |pages = 333–342|volume = 67 |issue =2 |doi=10.2307/1380887|first1 = Philip U.|last1 = Alkon|first2 = A. Allan|last2 = Degen|first3 = Anat|last3 = Cohen|first4 = Haya|last4 = Pollak}}</ref> It has broad feet with long claws used for burrowing.<ref name=":0" /> Like all porcupines, the Indian crested porcupine has a good sense of smell and sharp, chisel-like incisors.<ref name=":1" />

== Distribution and habitat==
[[File:Hystrix indica.jpg|thumb|left|Indian crested porcupine on a rocky hillside]]Indian crested porcupines are found throughout southwest and central Asia,<ref name=":0" /> including [[Afghanistan]], [[Armenia]], [[Azerbaijan]], [[China]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], [[India]], [[Iran]], [[Iraq]], [[Israel]], [[Jordan]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], [[Lebanon]], [[Nepal]], [[Pakistan]], [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Sri Lanka]], [[Turkey]], [[Turkmenistan]], and [[Yemen]].<ref name=iucn /> Due to their flexible environmental tolerances, Indian crested porcupines occupy a broad range of habitats.<ref name=iucn /> They prefer rocky hillsides,<ref name=":0" /> but are also common in tropical and temperate shrublands, grasslands, forests, plantations, and gardens.<ref name=iucn /> Their range seems to be limited by seasonal densities of forage and the availability of suitable substrates for digging burrows.<ref>{{Cite journal|title = Features of the ecology of porcupines in the deserts of eastern Prikaspia|last = Gorbunov|first = A.V.|date = 1985|journal = Soviet Journal of Ecology|volume = 16|pages = 248–253}}</ref> More specifically, the northern range of the Indian crested porcupine is limited by minimum summer night duration: they do not occur above latitudes where minimum night duration is less than 7 hours, presumably because of the amount of foraging time required to meet their dietary needs.<ref name=":6">{{Cite journal|title = Foraging Time and the Northern Range Limits of Indian Crested Porcupines (Hystrix indica Kerr)|jstor = 2845271|journal = Journal of Biogeography|date = 1988-05-01|pages = 403–408|volume = 15|issue = 3|doi = 10.2307/2845271|first1 = Philip U.|last1 = Alkon|first2 = David|last2 = Saltz}}</ref>

In 2018, a porcupine was spotted at [[Wadi Wurayah]] in the [[United Arab Emirates]].<ref name="TheNational 09-2018">{{cite news |last=Haza |first=Ruba |title=Species of porcupine seen for first time in the Fujairah |publisher=[[The National (Abu Dhabi)|The National]] |url=https://www.thenational.ae/uae/species-of-porcupine-seen-for-first-time-in-the-fujairah-1.769548 |date=2018-09-12 |access-date=2018-09-13}}</ref><ref name="GulfNews 09-2018">{{cite news |last=De Leon |first=Janice Ponce |title=First confirmed sighting of Indian crested porcupine in UAE |publisher=[[Gulf News]] |location=[[Fujairah]] |url=https://gulfnews.com/news/uae/environment/first-confirmed-sighting-of-indian-crested-porcupine-in-uae-1.2277687 |date=2018-09-13 |access-date=2018-09-13}}</ref>

== Diet ==
[[File:Indian Crested Porcupine.JPG|thumb|A captive Indian crested porcupine]]
Indian crested porcupines have a very broad and mostly herbivorous diet.<ref name=":0" /> They consume a variety of natural and agricultural plant material, including roots, bulbs, fruits, grains, drupe and tubers, along with insects and small vertebrates.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite journal|title = Influences of porcupine (''Hystrix indica'') activity on the slopes on the northern Negev mountains – Germination and vegetation renewal in different geomorphological types and slope directions|journal = Oecologia|date = 1981 |pages = 332–334 |volume = 51|issue = 3|doi = 10.1007/BF00540902|pmid = 28310016|first1 = Y. |last1 = Gutterman|first2 = Nir |last2 = Herr|s2cid = 41549116}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|title = Distribution and reproduction of the Indian Crested Porcupine ''Hystrix indica'' (Hystricidae: Rodentia) in Iraq |journal=Zoology in the Middle East |date = 1997 |pages = 9–12 |volume = 15 |issue = 1|doi = 10.1080/09397140.1997.10637731|first = A.-H. H.|last = Kadhim}}</ref> Because they are cecal digesters, they are able to exploit low quality forage.<ref>{{Cite journal |title = The Nutritional Basis for Food Selection by Ungulates|jstor = 3898379|journal = Journal of Range Management|date = 1982 |pages = 146–151 |volume = 35|issue = 2|doi = 10.2307/3898379|first = T. A. |last = Hanley|hdl = 10150/646267|hdl-access = free}}</ref> They have also been known to chew on bones to acquire minerals, such as calcium, that aid in quill growth.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> Their capability to form substantial fat reserves is a useful adaptation for living in seasonally fluctuating habitats.<ref name=":4" />

These porcupines can act as substantial habitat modifiers when excavating for tubers.<ref>{{Cite journal|title = Vegetation patterns related to environmental factors in a Negev Desert watershed|journal = Vegetatio|date=1983 |pages=153–165 |volume = 54|issue = 3 |doi = 10.1007/BF00047104 |first1 = L.|last1 = Olsvig-Whittaker|first2=M. |last2 = Shachak|first3 = A.|last3 = Yair|s2cid = 2152645}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|title = A case study of energy, water and soil flow chains in an arid ecosystem|journal = Oecologia |date = 1982 |pages = 389–397|volume = 54|issue = 3 |doi=10.1007/BF00380008|first1 = A.|last1 = Yair|first2 = M.|last2 = Shachak|pmid = 28309963 |s2cid = 37783090 }}</ref> They are also considered serious agricultural pests in many parts of their range due to their taste for agricultural crops.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite web|title = Food habits of the Indian crested porcupine (''Hystrix indica'') in Faisalabad, Pakistan |first1 = S. |last1 = Hafeez |first2 = K. G. |last2 = S.|first3 = M. |last3 =Khan |first4 =A. Z.|last4 = H.}}</ref> For these reasons, they are often regarded as a nuisance.<ref name=iucn />

== Behaviour ==
Like other Old World porcupines, the Indian crested porcupine is nocturnal.<ref name=":0" /> Both adults and weaned juveniles spend an average of 7 hours foraging every night.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite journal|title = Influence of Season and Moonlight on Temporal-Activity Patterns of Indian Crested Porcupines (''Hystrix indica'') |journal = Journal of Mammalogy|date = 1988 |pages = 71–80|volume = 69|issue = 1|doi = 10.2307/1381749|first1 = P. U.|last1 = Alkon|first2 = D. M. |last2 = Saltz |jstor = 1381749}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite journal|title = Potatoes and the Nutritional Ecology of Crested Porcupines in a Desert Biome|jstor = 2403225|journal = Journal of Applied Ecology|date = 1985 |pages = 727–737|volume = 22|issue = 3|doi = 10.2307/2403225|first1 = P. U.|last1 = Alkon|first2 = D.|last2 = Saltz}}</ref> They tend to avoid moonlight in the winter months, which could be a strategy to evade predation.<ref name=":7" /> However, during summer months they do not avoid moonlight (likely because there are less dark hours during which to forage), but instead tend to stay closer to their dens.<ref name=":7" /> During the day, they remain in their dens,<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":9">{{Cite book|title = The Mammals of Arabia|last = Harrison|first = D.L.|publisher = Ernest Benn|year = 1972|location = London|volume = 3}}</ref> but throughout the winter, they occasionally emerge from their dens during daylight hours to bask in the sun.<ref name=":4" />

The Indian crested porcupine is semifossorial.<ref name=":0" /> They live in natural caves or in excavated burrows.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":9" /> Because they do not climb or jump well, they spend most of their lives on or under the ground.<ref name=":1" /> However, they are good swimmers.<ref name=":1" />

Predators of the Indian crested porcupine include large cats,<ref>{{Cite book|title = East African Mammals|last = Kingdon|first = J.S.|publisher = Academic Press|year = 1974|location = London|volume = 2}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title = Cry of the Kalahari|url = https://archive.org/details/cryofkalahari00owen|url-access = registration|publisher = Houghton Mifflin Harcourt|date = 1984 |isbn = 978-0395647806|first1 = M. |last1 = Owens|first2 = D. |last2 = Owens}}</ref> caracals, wolves, striped hyenas, Asian wild dogs, Saltwater crocodiles<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Samarasinghe |first1=D. J. S.|last2=Alwis|first2=D. |date=2017 |title=''Crocodylus porosus'' (Saltwater Crocodile) diet |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320014937 |journal=Herpetological Review |volume=48|issue=3|pages=630–631}}</ref> and humans.<ref name=":7" /> When excited or scared, a porcupine stands its quills up to appear larger.<ref name=":1" /> It can also rattle the hollow quills at the base of its tail, stomp its feet, growl, grunt, or charge backward into the threat.<ref name=":1" />

== Reproduction ==
Indian crested porcupines mate in February and March.<ref name=":10">{{Cite journal|title = Reproduction in captive female Cape porcupines (Hystrix africaeaustralis)|last = van Aarde|first = R.J.|date = 1985|journal = Journal of Reproduction and Fertility|doi = 10.1530/jrf.0.0750577|volume = 75|issue = 2|pages = 577–582|pmid = 4067934|doi-access = free}}</ref> Gestation lasts an average of 240 days.<ref name=":3" /> A female gives birth to one brood of two to four offspring per year.<ref name=":2" /> Young are born with open eyes and are covered in short, soft quills that harden within a few hours after birth.<ref name=":0" /> Young are fully weaned 13–19 weeks after birth, but remain in the den with parents and siblings until sexual maturity around 2 years of age.<ref name=":10" /> It has been reported that the Indian crested porcupine is usually [[monogamous]] and mates every night throughout its life, not only for reproduction, but also to maintain and strengthen the pair bond, the relationship between the male and female partners.<ref>Z Server, [https://www.slideshare.net/zevsev/sever-new-scientist-1988 Regular sex keeps porcupines faithful], ''New Scientist'', Nov.12, 1988</ref> Previously, this had only been found in humans, [[Bonobo]]s, and some [[dolphin]]s.

== Conservation ==
[[File:Hystrix indica.JPG|thumb|Indian crested porcupine in a [[animal trap|trap]]]]

Due to its adaptability to a wide range of habitats and food types, the Indian crested porcupine is listed by the [[IUCN Red List]] as [[Least-concern species|Least Concern]] as of 2008.<ref name=iucn /><ref name=":0" /> Populations are stable and not severely fragmented, and while population status varies across its range, in many places it is common enough to be considered a pest.<ref name=iucn /> However, as a result of urbanization, infrastructure development, and pesticide use, suitable porcupine habitat is currently declining.<ref name=":0" />

The Indian crested porcupine is protected under the India Schedule IV of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, amended up to 2002.<ref name=":0" /> Nonetheless, because it is destructive to gardens and agricultural crops, it is widely hunted.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite book|title = Mammals of the Holy Land|url = https://archive.org/details/mammalsofholylan00qums|url-access = registration|publisher = Texas Tech University Press|date = 1996-01-01|isbn = 9780896723641|first = M. B. |last = Qumsiyeh}}</ref> It is traded for consumption and medicinal use.<ref name=":0" />

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikispecies|Hystrix indica}}
{{Commons category|Hystrix indica}}

{{Hystricidae nav}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q741524}}

[[Category:Hystricidae]]
[[Category:Mammals of South Asia|Porcupine, Indian]]
[[Category:Mammals of Western Asia|Porcupine, Indian]]
[[Category:Mammals of India|Porcupine, Indian]]
[[Category:Mammals of Azerbaijan|Porcupine, Indian]]
[[Category:Mammals of the Middle East|Porcupine, Indian Crested]]
[[Category:Mammals described in 1792]]

Indian crested porcupine - Revision history

Antonioctj: small improve lead per sources and added references for accuracy

>MB: fix convert error