The crested porcupine’s commons name refers to the quills along the head, nape, and back that can be raised into a crest, in addition to sturdier, banded quills along the sides and back half of the body.
The crested porcupine’s common name refers to the quills along the head, nape, and back that can be raised into a crest, in addition to sturdier quills about 35 centimeters, or 14 inches, long along the sides and back half of the body generally used for defensive purposes. These stronger quills are generally marked with alternating light and dark bands and are not firmly attached.
The head, neck, shoulders, limbs and underside of the crested porcupine’s body are covered with dark brown or black bristles that are rather coarse. There are long vibrissae on the head.
• Image | ©️ Drew Avery, Some Rights Reserved (CC BY 2.0)
• Sources | (McPhee, 2003; Nowak, 1999; Storch, 1990; The Wikimedia Foundation, 2020b)
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