Fauna
Mammal · GBIF taxon 8457271

Pernambuco Dwarf Porcupine

Coendou speratus

Also known as Coandumirim

Pernambuco dwarf porcupines navigate the fragmented canopies of northeastern Brazil using strong, fully prehensile tails that anchor them securely to narrow branches. Primarily active after dusk, they spend daytime hours resting quietly in tree hollows or dense vine tangles to evade aerial and ground predators. Their specific epithet reflects hope for their survival amidst severe agricultural clearing of their fragile Atlantic Forest habitat.

ArborealNocturnalHerbivorous
Pernambuco Dwarf Porcupine reference1 / 3
Licensed reference(c) Carlos Otávio Gussoni, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Carlos Otávio Gussoni · cc-by
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VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Native fruits
  • Tree bark
  • Tender shoots
Predators
  • Ocelot
  • Tayra
  • Harpy Eagle
ThreatsSevere deforestation, agricultural expansion, hunting, and habitat fragmentation
HabitatsTropical moist lowland forest and secondary forest fragments
Life span10–15 years in the wild
Classification
  1. FamilyErethizontidae
  2. SpeciesCoendou speratus
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
Sharp barbed quills can cause painful puncture wounds if approached; observe quietly from a safe distance.
Why it is dangerous
Possesses sharp, barbed dorsal quills that readily detach upon contact and drive deeply into flesh.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognizable by its small body, dark fur, and tricolored quills tipped with pale brownish bands.
What to do
Do not attempt to touch, corner, or handle; allow the animal clear passage along branches.
What to notice
A compact arboreal rodent with short dark quills and a long, bare-tipped grasping tail.
Support conservation
Avoid shining bright white spotlights into its eyes, which causes disorientation and falls.
Responsible observation
  • Scanning the Canopy: Look carefully along dense vine tangles and mid-story branches with a red flashlight at night.
  • Maintain Space: Keep several meters of distance to avoid provoking defensive posture or quill flaring.
Related species
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