Indian Crested Porcupine

The Indian crested porcupine is a large rodent weighing 11 to 18kg, with a body of 70 to 90cm and a tail of 8 to 10cm. It is covered in layers of modified hair called quills, brown or black with alternating white and black bands, which can grow up to 51cm long. Shorter, rigid quills of about 20cm on the back and rump are used to stab at threats (Wikipedia, general species account).

At the base of the tail, longer hollow quills can be rattled as a warning. It has broad feet with long claws used for burrowing, and is semi-fossorial, nocturnal and a good swimmer. It lives in natural caves or excavated burrows. Adults and weaned juveniles spend an average of about seven hours foraging each night. Nationally Data Deficient (Nepal National Red List 2011).