Philippine porcupine

The Philippine porcupine, or Palawan porcupine (Hystrix pumila) is a species of rodent in the family Hystricidae (Old World porcupines) endemic to the island of Palawan in the Philippines. It is known locally as durian or landak.

Philippine porcupine
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Hystricidae
Genus: Hystrix
Species:
H. pumila
Binomial name
Hystrix pumila
(Günther, 1879)

Apparently, its population is stable, but it is reported to be persecuted by farmers as pests in coconut plantations. Locally common to uncommon, the species is found in primary and secondary forest in the mountains and in the lowlands. This species also inhabits caves, but is commonly found under tree buttresses or in rock crevices. It endemic and restricted to the Palawan Faunal Region. It has been recorded in the islands of Busuanga, Calauit, and Coron, and on the mainland at the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, and the forested areas of El Nido.

This mammal appears to have no natural enemies. Its outer covering of spines serves as its protection and defense system. It measures about 42–93 cm (1.38–3.05 ft) long, not counting a tail of about 2.5–19 cm (0.98–7.48 in) and weighs 3.8–5.4 kg (8.4–11.9 lb).

References
  1. Heaney, L., Balete, D., Rosell-Ambal, G., Tabaranza, B., Ong, P. & Widmann, P. (2008). Hystrix pumila. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008 doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T10753A3213451.en

Further reading
  • Woods, C. A. & Kilpatrick, C. W. (2005), "Hystricognathi", in Wilson, D. E. & Reeder, D. M. (eds.), Mammal Species of the World: a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.), Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, pp. 1538–1600, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4


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