They live in water, and gnaw through small trees to provide wood to dam streams. In the pond behind the dam, they build their homes, called lodges. In the Americas, porcupines are small creatures that live in trees. They have sharp claws and are covered in short, spiny quills which act as a defence against predators. In the rest of the world, porcupines are larger creatures that live in under-ground runs and have long quills.
Guinea pigs are furry South American rodents very popular as pets.
Wild guinea pigs live in burrows on the fringes of forests, and hunt at night. They are much more lively than domestic guinea pigs. Capybaras are like guinea pigs, but they are the biggest of all rodents, weighing up to 50kg. They live in large groups on river banks and plunge into the water when predators such as jaguars approach. Rabbits and hares Rabbits and hares are found all over the world, and owe some of their success to their huge families.