The Biology of Captive Prehensile-Tailed Porcupines, Coendou prehensilis

Abstract

Reproduction, growth and development, activity cycles, and communication mechanisms were studied in a captive colony of Coendou prehensilis over an eight year period. This species has a single precocious young, a gestation period of approximately 203 days, prolonged maternal care and well-developed sound, scent and visual communication systems. Coendou prehensilis differs from the closely related Erethizon dorsatum in having smaller young, a longer developmental period and non-seasonal reproduction. It is suggested that differences in diet, arboreality, and adaptations to different environmental regimes may be responsible for these differences.