Indian Porcupine

An Indian Porcupine ( Hysterix Indica ), with its erect quills. When In resting position.



What happens when you fix quills to a rodent ? It becomes a Porcupine. Porcupines belong to the rodent family and this Indian Porcupine is one of the eleven members of the 'old world Porcupines'. Contrary to popular belief, porcupines are not capable of throwing their quills, but they detach very easily and will remain embedded in an attacker. Porcupine quills are as sharp as needles. When attacked, the Indian porcupine raises its quills and rattles the hollow quills on its tail. If the predator persists past these threats, the porcupine launches a backwards assault, hoping to stab its attacker with its quills.

In India, these are a nuisance to farmers, since they feed on roots of plants. Their meat is considered a delicacy in many countries, the name porcupine itself originates from the French word porc d'épine, meaning thorny pig.

If you find one in your backyard, then probably it has come in search of salt. They can munch on wood, treated with sodium nitrate or certain paints, and tool handles, footwear, clothes and other items that have been coated in salty sweat

I was Photographing the porcupines from a height, the sleeping porcupine spotted me and probably thinking that I was a threat gave me a full display of its quills.

Photograph Details: 1/30 sec , f/4.5