Prehensile-tailed Porcupine

Scientific Name: Coendou prehensilis

Found In: forests in northern Colombia, eastern Bolivia, northern Argentina and eastern Paraguay

Size: 4 – 11 pounds

Diet: Herbivore: bark, buds, fruits, roots, stems, leaves, blossoms, un-ripened seeds, corn and bananas

Threat Level: Least Concern, threat of deforestation is increasing

Facts: These porcupines spend 85 percent of their time in trees. Their prehensile tail acts as an extra appendage to help hold onto branches.

Virginia Zoo Prehensile-tailed Porcupine: male Dimitri (animal ambassador)