Smell that? Brazilian porcupines secrete a pungent, oily substance that keepers humorously describe as “a mix between onions and body odor.”
ORIGIN:
Northern South America
HABITAT:
Forests, grasslands
HEIGHT/WEIGHT:
4–11 lbs
Length: 1–2 ft
DIET:
Leaves, bark, flowers and fruit
PREDATORS:
Feral dogs
NATURAL DEFENSES:
Barbed quills
REPRODUCTION:
7-month gestation
THREATS:
Not threatened
LIFE EXPECTANCY:
17 yrs in human care