Fauna
Mammal

Indian Crested Porcupine

Hystrix indica

Also known as Indian Porcupine, Crested Porcupine

Indian crested porcupines are heavy nocturnal rodents renowned for their striking coat of sharp, black-and-white banded quills. They construct extensive underground burrow systems in rocky hillsides and scrublands, emerging at dusk to forage for roots, tubers, and bark. When threatened, they raise their broad neck crest, stamp their feet, and rattle specialized hollow quills on their tail to ward off predators.

NocturnalLarge RodentHerbivorous
Indian Crested Porcupine reference1 / 6
Rufus46 / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyRoots, Tubers, Tree Bark
Predators
  • Tigers
  • Leopards
  • Striped Hyenas
ThreatsHabitat loss, agricultural persecution, and hunting
HabitatsScrublands, forests, grasslands, and rocky hillsides
Life span10–15 years
Classification
  1. FamilyHystricidae
  2. SpeciesHystrix indica
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Drives sharp quills into attackers when cornered; maintain a safe distance and keep pets leashed.
Why it is dangerous
When threatened, it charges backward to drive sharp quills into intruders, causing deep puncture wounds and infections.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Identified by its large size, prominent crest of long white bristles, and thick black-and-white banded quills.
What to do
Give the animal a wide berth at night and keep pets securely leashed.
Responsible observation
  • Night Observations: Use a low red light at night to observe feeding without startling the animal.
  • Recognize Warnings: Listen for hollow tail quills rattling together, which indicates distress.
  • Keep Pets Leashed: Restrain domestic dogs on trail walks after dark to prevent quilling incidents.
Related species
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