American crested porcupine

The **American crested porcupine** (*Hystrix americanum*), also known as the **American ground porcupine**, is a species of hystricomorph rodent, a member of the Old World porcupine family, most closely related to the Asian crested porcupine species, that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the rainforests, wetlands, forests, open woodlands, grasslands, shrublands, scrublands, and deserts across North America to help boost biodiversity. The adult American crested porcupine has an average head and body length around 60 to 83 centimeters (24 to 33 inches) long, discounting the tail, and weighs from 13 to 27 kg (29 to 60 lb). Almost the entire body is covered with bristles which are either dark brown or black and rather coarse. This porcupine is recognizable by the quills that run along the head, nape, and back that can be raised into a crest. Also, some sturdier quills which are about 35 cm (14 inches) in length run along the sides and back half of the body. These sturdier quills are used, for the most part, for defense and are usually marked with light and dark bands which alternate; these are not firmly attached. This porcupine has a shorter tail which has rattle quills at the end. The rattle quills broaden at the terminal end and the broad portion is hollow with thin walls. When these quills are vibrated, they produce a hiss-like rattle. The front feet of the American crested porcupine have four developed and clawed digits with a regressed thumb, the rear feet have five. The paws have naked and padded soles and have a plantigrade gait. The ears are external and both the eyes and ears are very small with long vibrissae on its head. The American crested porcupine is for the most part herbivorous, eating roots, bulbs, and leaves, but occasionally they do consume insects, small vertebrates, and carrion. To ingest calcium and sharpen incisors, the American crested porcupines often gnaw on bones. These animals often travel long distances looking for food. They have high crowned teeth that grind plant tissues which are digested in the stomach, and the undigested fibers are retained in an enlarged appendix and anterior large intestine, where they are broken down by microorganisms. The American crested porcupine is a terrestrial mammal; they very seldom climb trees, but can swim. They are nocturnal and monogamous. The 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 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 American lions, cougars, wolves, coyotes, hyenas, and even other predators. American crested porcupines have been known to collect thousands of bones that they find at night. They are mostly nocturnal, and they may wander upon the skeletons of many animals. They collect these bones, and store them in an underground chamber, cave, or under man-made buildings. Usually, female American crested porcupines have two litters every year. Two or 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 g (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. 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 conservation status of the American crested porcupine is **Least Concern** due to successful conservation efforts, the American crested porcupine's wide range and its tolerance to many of the humans activities.