Hystrix brachyura brachyura

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular names
English : Malayan porcupine
French : Porc-épic de Malaisie

Classification
Class : Mammalia
Order : Rodentia
Family : Hystricidae
Notes : 2 other subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can grow to 93 cm in length for a weight of 27 kg. Large porcupine with short tail. Small white crest. Coloration dark brown-black. Side quills are brown, back quills are dirty white with one or two black rings and long white tips.

Range and habitat
This subspecies occurs in Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo. Species also found from north India and east Nepal to China, south to Thailand. Lives in grasslands, forests and open fields with soft soil.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species has a very large range. It is occasionally hunted and locally suffers from loss of habitat but these aren’t long term threats at this time.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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