Wildlifeof Nepal
Himalayan Porcupine
Rats, Mice, Voles & Porcupines
Photo: Ian Dugdale · CC-BY
Hystrix brachyura
Basic stats
Diet
Roots, tubers, bark and fallen fruit; also carrion, insects and large tropical seeds
Habitat
All forest types up to 1,500m
Range
Nepal through north-east India to Bangladesh, China, Southeast Asia, Sumatra and Borneo
Gestation period
About 90–112 days
Size
Head and body 56–74cm; tail 6–11cm
Weight
10–18kg
The Malayan or Himalayan porcupine is a large rodent with rough upper-body quills that are black with white or yellow stripes. The legs are short and stocky and covered in brown hairs, with four claws on the front feet and five on the hind. Head and body are 56 to 74cm long, with a short tail of 6 to 11cm, and weight is 10 to 18kg (Wikipedia, general species account).
It ranges from Nepal through north-east India to Bangladesh, China and Southeast Asia, from sea level to at least 1,300m, in all forest types up to 1,500m. It is terrestrial, usually lives in small groups and may dig burrows, from which a network of trails spreads. It forages at night and rests by day, eating roots, tubers, bark and fallen fruit. Nationally Data Deficient (Nepal National Red List 2011).
Quick answers
- What does the Himalayan Porcupine eat?
- Roots, tubers, bark and fallen fruit; also carrion, insects and large tropical seeds
- What habitat does the Himalayan Porcupine live in?
- All forest types up to 1,500m
- Where is the Himalayan Porcupine found?
- Nepal through north-east India to Bangladesh, China, Southeast Asia, Sumatra and Borneo
- How long is the gestation period of the Himalayan Porcupine?
- About 90–112 days
- How big is the Himalayan Porcupine?
- Head and body 56–74cm; tail 6–11cm
- How much does the Himalayan Porcupine weigh?
- 10–18kg