The Indian crested porcupine (Hystrix indica ) is a hystricomorph rodent species native to southern Asia and the Middle East. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It belongs to the Old World porcupine family, Hystricidae.
Indian Crested Porcupine is the largest rodent of India, which is widely distributed in the Indian Subcontinent. A solitary creature locally known as Sahi inhabits deciduous forest, rocky terrain and opens countryside. This rugged rodent is covered with thick long quills which may reach up to 16 inches in length.
Hystrix indica
Hystrix
20 YEARS
As nocturnal animals, Indian porcupines spend their daytime hours in their dens. They rarely live alone, but always forage alone. Both mature individuals and weaned young spend about 7 hours foraging per night on average. They tend to avoid moonlight in the winter months, which could be a strategy to evade predation.
Hystricidae
11-18KG
The Indian crested porcupine is a hystricomorph rodent species native to southern Asia and the Middle East. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Indian crested porcupines have a very broad and mostly herbivorous diet. They consume a variety of natural and agricultural plant material, including roots, bulbs, fruits, grains, drupe and tubers, along with insects and small vertebrates.