Mexican Dwarf Porcupine in Tree Hollow
Costa Rica, Central America
The Mexican Hairy Dwarf Porcupine (Coendou mexicanus) is a species of rodent found from central Mexico south through Panama. It is the only species of porcupine found in Costa Rica. They are arboreal, using its spineless, prehensile tail to hold onto branches. They are also nocturnal, preferring to hide out in tree hollows and vine-tangles during the day. Its diet consists of buds, young leaves, fruits and seeds. It uses its strong teeth to crush the outer layer of hard seeds, making it more of a seed predator rather than a seed disperser.
Individuals normally live alone and are silent, but in the breeding season it is more vocal when searching for a mate. Females reach sexual maturity at around 19months and remain reproductively active for around 11 – 12 years. The quills are soft at birth and they harden within 2 to 3 days.
Despite their protective quills, they are known to have fallen prey to ocelots as well as various birds of prey. Although various species of snakes also eat them, there have been reports of snakes dying from quills puncturing the lining of the gut or other organs. Humans hunt porcupines for their meat, and the fat and skin are believed to have medicinal values among indigenous people.
Photo © copyright by Dr. Edward Mikol.
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