Mexican Hairy Dwarf Porcupine

 

(Coendu Mexicanus)

Spanish: Puercoespin. 

 

Mexican hairy dwarf porcupines are relatively docile, slow rodents, most often seen foraging in the forest canopy. They have a prehensile and naked tail, which is an adaptation to have a better grip of branches and ultimately better mobility in trees. 

Newborn porcupines can climb often immediately after birth. Their bodies are covered in hair and soft quills which harden two to three days later. Porcupines use their hardened quills for defense against predation.

Fun Facts

• Mexican hairy dwarf porcupines have over 30,000 quills to protect themselves. Quills are specialized hairs that are hardened with layers of keratin
• Porcupines do not “shoot” their quills when threatened. Their quills are like loose fitting armour, and drop off if they are tugged or shaken too hard, or can pierce like needles if they are grabbed or bitten

Belize Zoo Trivia

• “Branchy” was an orphan found in 2022 in Frank’s Eddy Village near Caves Branch Jungle Outpost, hence his name!
• During the day, Branchy enjoys sleeping in his hollow log and in the afternoon, he wakes up to a platter of fresh fruits
• Branchy likes to snack on peanuts