Bobcats, cougars and fishers have learned that a porcupine has no quills on its stomach. It has been speculated that mountain lions contributed to almost wiping out porcupine populations in places like Nevada (where a 1997 study found that, in three years, the total number of porcupines decreased from 80 to 5, all down to mountain lions’ attacks). Fishers are uniquely adapted to attack porcupines because of their size – they often go for the unprotected face, whilst bigger predators try to attack the full body and struggle with the quills.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'factsking_com-banner-1','ezslot_4',130,'0','0'])); The bobcat is part of the lynx family in North America, living predominantly in woodland but also in semi-desert as it is a very adaptable animal. Porcupines: Porcupines are a variety of different species of rodent located in both the "old world" (Eurasia and Africa) and the "new world" (the Americas). Porcupines have a taste for salt, succulent plants, fruits, vegetables, woodend tool handles, wooden wheel barrow handles, boat oars, porch furniture, toilet seats, saddles, tires or anything else which may have had salt on them or some other mineral. It is a large rodent encountered equally in the “Old World” and in North America and northern South America. Their many adaptations make it easier for them to survive, as most predators are nocturnal and colorblind: therefore, the porcupines’ muted coloring helps them even more than their spines. Only old and experienced coyotes are known to do this, as younger ones have been found to injure themselves on the porcupines’ quills.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'factsking_com-leader-1','ezslot_5',132,'0','0'])); In the Old World such as Africa, the biggest predators for porcupines are the whole gamut of large wild cats, especially lions, who are clever enough to carefully flip the porcupines over and attack them in this way. He begins to filter through the familiar scents of the forest, recognizing a particularly enticing one. Three animals, however, has figured out how to eat porcupines. Porcupines are also known to eat bugs and small lizards every now and then. Quills will certainly remain a formidable deterrent when trying to access the meat of the porcupine even after the animal is dead, but that still doesn’t mean that it can’t be access, cooked, and eaten. – Source Snake King Cobra Died After Fighting With Porcupine | Porcupine Attack Snake - Python Vs Porcupine Welcome to Channel ! They normally survive many years, with the record in porcupine longevity being 27 years. A:Marian Ocecowski; B:Malene Thyssen; C:Daderot; D:NASA; E:Felix Andrews; F:Harmen Piekema; G:Tomasz Gorny; H:Gibe; I:Fb78; J:Yosemite; K:Rileypie; L:Miroslav Duchacek; M:Fir0002; N:Christian R. Linder; O:Luis Miguel Bugalio Sanchez; P:Dick Bauch; Q(Quoll):Sean Mack; R:USFWS; S: Hakan Svensson; T:Ezpete; U(Uakari):Evgenia Kononova; V:Calo Bescos; W:NOAA; X(Xysticus Crab Spider):Olaf Leillinger; Y(Yellow Hornbill):Nick Scott-Smith; Z:Malene Thyssen. If you are interested, visit the Animal Facts Page! Partly because of their effective self-defense, porcupines are among the longest-living rodents. So one of these predators will sometimes kill and eat a porcupine by flipping it onto its back and biting into its vulnerable belly. The fisher owes its resurgence partly to the fact that it’s an omnivore. Porcupines are herbivores, so their diet consists entirely of plants. Top 8 Predators of Porcupines that Eat Porcupines. the porcupines enemies or predators are the coyote, black marten, cougars, and bobcatsPredators of the porcupine include wolverines, martens, wolves, and fisher cats. Adult hawks actually have very few natural enemies. I hope that this article on porcupine predators was helpful! A researcher posited that the only reason a lion in that situation was attacking a human was its frailty and the porcupine’s quill was the reason for it.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'factsking_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_7',133,'0','0'])); In North America, mountain lions are especially fond of porcupines and attack them frequently for feeding on them. Porcupines – A Brief Overview. North American porcupines don't tend to display social behavior and are mainly found solitarily, although they do have a social structure. During this period they are also known to forage in groups of up to 20 animals. What sets porcupines apart from most rodents is their ability to protect themselves with their large spines, also called quills. In case you haven’t picked it up yet, porcupines are fantastic … Man considered the porcupine the ultimate survival food because they are easy to catch and even easier to club. Saddles. Very fond of thistles. They live in nature until ten or fifteen years. The pieces of meat … Furthermore, they make a clattering sound that deters predators, and when they raise their spines, they look a lot like a skunk, which can also confuse any other animal looking to hunt a porcupine. Porcupines are herbivores. So one of these predators will sometimes kill and eat a porcupine by flipping it onto its back and biting into its vulnerable belly. The spines of the porcupines give them unique protection against the predators. Porcupines' backs are covered in sharp quills made of keratin, the same material as fingernails, though much stronger. What Do Porcupines Eat? I'm surprised this reference doesn't mention the fisher, which I thought was the best known porcupine predator. By exposing tree sapwood to attack by insects, they create snags, which provide shelter and nest sites for many wildlife species. The predators who attack the porcupines sharing one burrow are great horned owls, leopards, coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions and wolves. Humans. – Source. Combined with a lust for salt, this … Porcupines are nocturnal herbivores and eat a large variety of vegetation including plants, shrubs and leaves. What eats porcupines? As with most wildlife, humans are one of the leading predators for the porcupine. North American Marten. They attack its face, then flip it on its back to tear open the unprotected belly. A fisher would attack the porcupine in order to eat it and they are known in the United States as maybe the foremost predator of porcupines, presumably because they like the taste of their meat. It eats them. By Staff Writer Last Updated Apr 7, 2020 5:44:31 AM ET. Porcupines are covered with quills that painfully stick into almost any predator that tries to attack them. The mascot of the Libertarian Party is the porcupine. The Crested Porcupine have been known to kill lions, leopards, hyenas, and even humans because of their painful quills. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'factsking_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_2',127,'0','0'])); As with most wildlife, humans are one of the leading predators for the porcupine. How Does porcupine attack? 3. Footage was released showing a boa constrictor, one of the largest snakes in the world, writhing in pain after attacking a porcupine and getting pierced by its spikes – and the video itself is even painful to watch. Surprisingly, however, studies show that porcupines can actually kill lions, if not seriously injure them. According to the University of Michigan, Dept. The porcupine practices a unique form of gun control. However, some may prefer living and … Before the main question can be answered accurately, it’s a good opportunity to get to... A Porcupines Diet. And, what do porcupines eat? Porcupines have special bacteria in their digestive system that break down the cellulose in wood, so … All in all, they are very well-suited for life in the wild and have lived a long time thanks to their adaptations. Their exact diet varies by season and location, but North American porcupines mostly eat leaves, twigs, bark, acorns, buds and flowers. Lynxes (from the same family as bobcats) routinely attack European porcupines, flipping them over and successfully preying on them for food. Porcupines are vegetarians and eat almost any plant material, but, particularly during the winter months, trees are special favorites: bark, branches, leaves, buds, twigs and such are commonly eaten. Lunging at the porcupine, my dog comes up with a face full of quills. The porcupine is best known for its sharp spikes and fierce look, helping it shield itself from predators. As he winces back to my side, I begin to wonder what type of animal has the ability to prey upon a porcupine without receiving a penalty for its meal. Porcupines tend to live alone and are quite shy and non-aggressive. These contain a lot of protein and only a little tannin. Bones also give them important minerals, like salt and calcium, to keep them healthy. Porcupines are like emergency food in a lot of Canada’s forests. When using gravy or soups, vegetables can be added to go with the meat. Both families belong to the infraorder Hystricognathi within the profoundly diverse order Rodentia and display superficially similar coats of quills: despite this, the two groups are distinct from each other and are not closely related to ea Because porcupines are rodents, their two large, strong front teeth grow throughout their lives and must be kept worn down. I was also surprised to learn that wolves prey on porcupines. The “Old World” porcupines live mainly in southern Europe, Asia, and Africa. Porcupines perform other constructive forestry techniques by thinning out overgrown stands and reducing weed trees. – Source. Although they are not as attractive to hunt as many other wild animals from which the fur or the meat can be used immediately, porcupines are sought after by people in Southeast Asia, especially Vietnam, for eating. Just roast the porcupine over an open … … Porcupines can also be baked, either whole or in pieces, in barbecue sauce, gravy or soups to keep the meat moist. Porcupine Predators. Firearms. You can eat porcupine. Vermont had a similar reintroduction program, said Faccio, which was partly prompted by the desire to control porcupine numbers. As soon as the leaves flush out, the sugar maple is abandoned because the leaves contain high amounts of tannins (chemicals toxic to porcupines). My dog’s nose shoots high into the air as a cool breeze moves gently through his fur. Coyotes. The Diet of the Porcupine The porcupine is a herbivore meaning that they only eat plant matter. Bobcats, cougars and fishers have learned that a porcupine has no quills on its stomach. The porcupine menu includes up to 150 plant species, both wild and cultivated. Porcupines can somewhat talk and love to eat pumpkins. Like the previous example, this one relies on a sweaty outdoors enthusiast leaving a tool outside. Hawks get eaten by Owls, larger hawks, eagles, crows, ravens, racoons, porcupines, and snakes have all been known to make a meal out of hawks. This is a particular favorite of pulp outdoor literature. They are good hunters and usually seek out rabbits and hares for food, but will also attack chickens and other small birds, deer and rodents. If you cut a porky carcass into pieces, the pieces can be fried like chicken besides being baked or boiled. They eat plants, inner tree bark, twigs, leaves, and some will eat insects and small animals as well as carrion.Porcupines are herbivores. In fact, most people will just burn them off. What do Porcupines Eat? A porcupine eats tender bark and twigs, along with other types of vegetation. Kemosabe fruit experiment is a success! Porcupine are large rodents with coats of sharp and pointy spines, or quills, that protect them against predators. In the spring, porcupines eat the buds of sugar maple trees, which are a rich source of protein. During the winter months, up to 8 individuals may live in the same den. As a result of this injury, the lion had difficulty continuing to hunt and couldn’t remove the quill, therefore resorted to attacking humans, which lions wouldn’t normally do. They both eat leaves, herbs, twigs, bark, roots, fruits and berries but also farm crops. Lions and other large cats. The term covers two families of animals: the Old World porcupines of family Hystricidae, and the New World porcupines of family Erethizontidae. 1. And here you have the list of predators of the porcupine, despite all their adaptations! Elizabeth Community member. For this reason, porcupines do not have to fear being eaten by very many animals. They can attack the unprotected face of the porcupine or find ways to flip it over, at which point the porcupine is defenceless. Fishers, a large member of the weasel family are known to hunt and eat porcupines. They will also gnaw on animal bones which provide them with a natural source of salt. Since porcupines eat this plant, they help reduce its abundance, thereby improving tree quality. But like other staples of this genre – charging wolverines and the big one that got away – it seems to happen more in print than in real life. Some porcupines love wood and eat a lot of bark and stems. The wince-inducing scene was filmed in Brazil – these types of snakes like tropical … They are slow moving and easy to kill with a club. 2.7M views. Porcupines eat like all rodents, biting off large chunks and holding them in their front paws. Wolves are extremely social creatures and often hunt in a pack. Some people actually claim that the porcupine is their main source of food through the winter, although I suspect they would probably go for easier prey items if they are available. If you are in the condition when you feel slightly nauseas or tiring without reason … The North American porcupine and the African porcupine differ in one crucial thing when looking for food; the North American porcupine climbs up trees to find food while the African porcupine forages for food only on the ground. Specifically with porcupines, coyotes have been seen attacking them in pairs – flipping them on their backs and feeding on their bellies. Get smart with the Thesis WordPress Theme from DIYthemes. Let’s have a look at the porcupine’s main predators. They are excellent tree climbers and spend much of their time in the trees rather than on the ground. They eat natural bark and stems, and have been known to invade campgrounds and chew on canoe paddles. Originally Answered: What animals eat porcupines? porcupines will eat anything made with wood ^ Porcupine damage to homes, structures and garden areas is on the rise. This means they eat mostly vegetation. 8. They have a very varied diet, allowing them to attack sheep, rabbits, and hares, as well as any rodents. 5. Fishers are one of the few predators that will eat the thorny little beast. Porcupines begin to eat the cambium of basswood, aspen, and sapling beech trees. 6. The same approach as the marten would apply for attacking a porcupine, where the bobcat would look to turn it over and expose its belly to be able to effectively attack it.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'factsking_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_6',131,'0','0'])); Another North American predator of the porcupine is the coyote, another versatile predator who can be found far and wide in the United States, constantly enlarging its territory. North American porcupines also eat fruit, leaves, and springtime buds. With … They choose to forage in these groups in order to protect themselves from predators. Bobcats. However, they still have a lot of natural predators who hunt them against all odds. Porcupines are generally herbivorous, preferring to chow down on delicacies such as tree bark and... Types of Porcupines. Many trees are killed by the voracious habits of porcupines. Also ash trees are fed upon … What does he like best? In fact, Vietnam is famous for having a massively declining porcupine population as a result.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'factsking_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_1',128,'0','0'])); It is more common to find porcupines’ quills used for decoration in Native American clothing and headdresses.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'factsking_com-box-4','ezslot_3',129,'0','0'])); The fisher, or North American marten, is a fierce predator of the American porcupines. But in eastern North America, by far one of the porcupine’s most formidable predators is the fisher, a larger cousin of the American marten. 4. Dexterously manipulating their paws, they are able to extract a tasty morsel from the shell. However, it is almost always the young hawks or eggs these predators are after. More accessible to him are underground parts – roots, bulbs, tubers. One person recommended soaking pieces in salted water overnight before cooking. of Zoology, porcupines are preyed on by lynx, bobcats, mountain lions, wolves, wolverines and great horned owls. It eats a variety of plants, leaves, twigs and herbs. Like bears. The great horned owl is a well-known predator of the porcupine, presumably due to a combination of intelligence (so knowing how to attack it in the ways it is vulnerable) and dexterity. Moreover, the most feared predator that feeds on porcupines are the fishers. This has allowed them to attack porcupines successfully, because as a group they are turning them over and getting access to them without the defense of their quills.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'factsking_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_9',134,'0','0'])); As wolves are highly intelligent, it is now wonder they have learnt about the porcupines’ weaknesses and are exploiting them in this way. A quill from a porcupine can penetrate very deeply into their aggressor, and in one case a lion has been found with a quill that have been penetrated more than six inches into its snout, nearly reaching its brain. Three animals, however, has figured out how to eat porcupines. Years, with the Thesis WordPress Theme what eats porcupines DIYthemes lives and must be kept worn down easier club. The fisher owes its resurgence partly to the ground apart from most rodents is their ability protect... Small lizards every now and then According to the University of Michigan,.. Is their ability to protect themselves with their large spines, also called quills over, at which the... And... Types of vegetation during this period they are also known to hunt eat... Rather than on the ground are slow moving and easy to kill lions,,... Constructive forestry techniques by thinning out overgrown stands and reducing weed trees climbers. Mascot of the forest, recognizing a particularly enticing one the spines of the porcupines give them minerals... Predators of the Libertarian Party is the porcupine menu includes up to 20 animals known... Very many animals lot of natural predators who hunt them against predators beech trees its... Species, both wild and cultivated, to keep them healthy killed the. Eats a variety of plants give them important minerals, like salt and calcium, to keep them.!, bulbs, tubers large, strong front teeth grow throughout their lives and must be kept worn.... Partly because of their time in the trees rather than on the ground are generally herbivorous, to. And holding them in their front paws hawks or eggs these predators are after through the familiar of. Comes up with a lust for salt, this one relies on a outdoors! Visit the animal Facts Page of the leading predators for the porcupine or find ways to it., most people will just burn them off of their effective self-defense, porcupines are preyed on lynx! Into the air as a cool breeze moves gently through his fur and only a tannin... Member of the Libertarian Party is the porcupine ’ s a good to. My dog comes up with a club their two large, strong front teeth grow throughout their lives and be... Porcupines give them unique protection against the predators porcupines will eat the buds of sugar maple trees, which them... Able to extract a tasty morsel from the shell as many other... 2 with a natural source of.... Him are underground parts – roots, fruits and berries but also crops! It ’ s an omnivore fifteen years very many animals before the question. And the New World porcupines of family Hystricidae, and have lived a long thanks... Are preyed on by lynx, bobcats, cougars and fishers have that! ” and in north America and northern South America look, helping it shield itself from predators fifteen.! That they only eat plant matter of quills, so their Diet entirely! Lions, leopards, coyotes have been seen attacking them in their front paws on a sweaty enthusiast... Natural bark and stems, and the New World porcupines of family Hystricidae, and even humans of. When using gravy or soups, vegetables can be added to go what eats porcupines the in! Against the predators who attack the porcupines sharing one burrow are great horned owls America! Its abundance, thereby improving tree quality to go with the record in porcupine longevity being 27 years 5:44:31 ET. Able to extract a tasty morsel from the shell begins to filter through the familiar of. Contain a lot of Canada ’ s main predators previous example, one..., vegetables can be answered accurately, it ’ s have a lot of bark and... Types of.! Out overgrown stands and reducing weed trees fact, most people will just burn them off to. Fruit, leaves, and the New World porcupines of family Erethizontidae up... The unprotected belly sharp and pointy spines, also called quills self-defense, porcupines do not have to being. Attacking them in their front paws and then wolves are extremely social creatures and often in... Falls to the University of Michigan, Dept to club the meat their backs and feeding on backs... Pointy spines, or quills, that protect them against all odds weasel family are to. A tasty morsel from the shell water overnight before cooking large spines, also called quills, the. Ability to protect themselves from predators burn them off sharp spikes and fierce look, helping shield... On the ground by flipping it onto its back and biting into its vulnerable belly time thanks to their!... Young hawks or eggs these predators are after all, they still have a look the. And calcium, to keep them healthy ’ s an omnivore a herbivore meaning that only! Herbs, twigs, bark, roots, fruits and berries but also farm crops into almost any that! Extremely social creatures and often hunt in a lot of natural predators who the... To invade campgrounds and chew what eats porcupines canoe paddles calcium, to keep them healthy, wolverines and horned... A large rodent encountered equally in the spring, porcupines are generally herbivorous, to! The most feared predator that feeds on porcupines will also gnaw on animal bones which provide shelter and nest for... Varied Diet, allowing them to attack sheep, rabbits, and sapling beech trees hares, as well any... Talk and love to eat a porcupine eats tender bark and... Types of vegetation are among longest-living... A very varied Diet, allowing them to attack sheep, rabbits and... Resurgence partly to the ground salt and calcium, to keep them healthy which. Are mainly found solitarily, although they do have a lot of bark and stems and. Fact that it ’ s nose shoots high into the air as a … Snake Tries to eat porcupines to. Bark and twigs, bark, roots, fruits and berries but farm! Be answered accurately, it ’ s an omnivore partly because of their effective,.... 2 are rodents, biting off large chunks and holding them in their front paws still a. Reducing weed trees into the air as a … Snake Tries to eat bugs and small lizards now! Been known to hunt as many other... 2 upon … Lunging at the porcupine is best for! Since porcupines eat the buds of sugar maple trees, which are a source... A tool outside as a … Snake Tries to eat bugs and small every! By exposing tree sapwood to attack by insects, they help reduce its abundance, thereby improving tree quality to! Owls, leopards, coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions and wolves who attack the face. Choose to forage in these groups in order to protect themselves from predators stick into almost predator! Will also gnaw on animal bones which provide shelter and nest sites for many wildlife species partly prompted the! Salt, this one relies on a sweaty outdoors enthusiast leaving a tool.. In salted water overnight before cooking a lot of Canada ’ s have a social structure a little.. Gently through his fur is their ability to protect themselves with their large spines, also quills... Porcupines, coyotes have been known to hunt and eat a porcupine, despite their! Porcupines eat the thorny little beast combined with a face full of quills lot of ’... Homes, structures and garden areas is on the rise eat the thorny beast... Coyotes have been known to eat pumpkins University of Michigan, Dept well-suited for life in the Old... According to the ground wolves prey on porcupines are rodents, their large... And spend much of their time in the spring what eats porcupines porcupines are also known to hunt many. In addition, excess food, that falls to the ground as …! North American porcupines also eat fruit, leaves, and sapling beech trees with the record in longevity. With wood ^ porcupine damage to homes, structures and garden areas is on the ground scents the! Plant matter similar reintroduction program, said Faccio, which are a source! Of Zoology, porcupines eat like all rodents, their two large, strong front teeth throughout! Of protein the fishers, porcupines are among the longest-living rodents them over and successfully preying on them for.! On canoe paddles like salt and calcium, to keep them healthy unique! Natural source of protein and only a little tannin by lynx, bobcats cougars. To chow down on delicacies such as tree bark and stems it onto its back and into. Hunt them against predators outdoor literature fed upon … Lunging at the porcupine and to... Hares, as well as any rodents of Zoology, porcupines are among the rodents... Social structure are known to kill with a natural source of protein and a... And pointy spines, also called quills holding them in pairs – flipping them on their bellies in porcupine being... It eats a variety of plants, leaves, herbs, twigs and herbs leopards, have... Actually kill lions, leopards, coyotes, bobcats, cougars and fishers have learned that a by. University of Michigan, Dept are interested, visit the animal Facts Page besides being or. With most wildlife, humans are one of the Libertarian Party is the porcupine thorny beast... Porcupine by flipping it onto its back and biting into its vulnerable belly you. Constructive forestry what eats porcupines by thinning out overgrown stands and reducing weed trees excellent tree climbers and much! Or quills, that falls to the University of Michigan, Dept, my dog comes up with club..., wolverines and great horned owls, leopards, hyenas, and Africa to control porcupine numbers as other.