Coendou prehensilis

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular names
English : Brazilian porcupine
French : Coendou, Coendou à queue préhensile

Classification
Class : Mammalia
Order : Rodentia
Family : Erethizontidae
Notes : 2 subspecies known. Subspecies status still being discussed.

Identification
Body length of 60 cm, tail length of 48 cm, weight of 5 kg. Long muscular and prehensile tail. Snout broad. Quills are clear grey and black with white tips. Tail is covered with thick silvery hairs. Powerful claws on each feet.

Range and habitat
This species occurs in South America, from Colombia, Venezuela and Guianas, south to East Bolivia, Paraguay and north Argentina. Lives in forests, woodlands and wooded grasslands, up to 1500 meters.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species has a very large range and can still be found in great numbers in many places, especially in protected areas. Sensitive to deforestation.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP in America, ESB in Europe

Observation

 

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