Neosteiromys (SciiFii)

The South American crested porcupine (Neosteiromys cristata), also known as the South American ground porcupine, is a species of erethizontid rodent that originally lived in South America during the Miocene as an extinct species of Neosteiromys and the genus itself was once extinct, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and introduced throughout the modern rainforests, wetlands, forests, open woodlands, grasslands, shrublands, scrublands, and deserts across South America to help boost biodiversity. The South American crested porcupine is much bigger than any other living Neotropical porcupines, with the weight of around 20 kilograms, being in the size range of African crested porcupines (Crested porcupine). The South American crested porcupine is for the most part herbivorous, eating roots, bulbs, leaves, and large fruits, but occasionally they do consume insects, small vertebrates, and carrion. The South American crested is also, like them, largely terrestrial, rather than a tree dweller. Like many other ground-dwelling porcupines, it has incisors that constantly grow, so it feeds on harder, more abrasive food than tree porcupines, and it collects bones once in a while to gnaw on them and keep its incisors at a practical length, as well as to obtain additional minerals and nutrients. The South American crested porcupines collect these bones, and store them in underground chambers or caves. The South American crested porcupines are terrestrial mammals; they very seldom climb trees, but can swim. They are nocturnal and monogamous. The South American crested porcupine takes care of the young for a long time and small family groups consist of the adult pair and young of various ages. In defense, when disturbed, they raise and fan their quills to make themselves look bigger. If continually bothered, the South American crested porcupine will stamp its feet, whirr the quills, and charge the disturber back end first trying to stab the enemy with the thicker, shorter quills. These attacks are known to have killed saber-toothed cats, jaguars, marsupial hyenas, large macropredatory canids, and even, albeit rarely, humans and other sapient species. Usually, female South American crested porcupines have one litter every year. One to three very well developed young are born in a chamber within the burrow that is usually lined with grass, after a 66-day gestation period, on average. The young weigh about 1,000 grams (2.2 lb) at birth, which is about 5% of the mother's weight. They leave the den after one week. At this time, the spines begin to harden. South American crested porcupines reach adult weight at one to two years and are often sexually mature just before then. Breeding occurs throughout the year. The average lifespan of the South American crested porcupine is 15 years in the wild, although specimens in captivity have been known to live up to 20 years. The conservation status of the South American crested porcupine is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts and the South American crested porcupine's wide range.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii