Porcupine
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Context: Thousands of farmers in the Kashmir Valley are facing a new and unusual enemy to their livelihood - porcupines attacking almond and apple trees.
- It attacks trees during winters and peels the bark of fruit tree. Eventually the tree dies within one year.
About Porcupines:
- They are large, thorny rodents.
- Their coats with sharp spines or quills protect them against predation.
- They have a relatively high longevity and hold the record for being the longest-living rodent.
- Defensive behaviour displays in a porcupine depend on sight, scent and sound.
- Indian Crested Porcupine is the largest rodent of India, which is widely distributed in the Indian Subcontinent.
- One of the highly traded species in India due to the superstitious belief.
- Conservation status:
- least concern species of IUCN Red List
- Under Schedule IV of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972