The prehensile-tailed porcupines or coendous (genus Coendou) are found in
Central and
South America.[2] Two other formerly recognized
Neotropical tree porcupine genera, Echinoprocta[3] and Sphiggurus,[4] have been subsumed into Coendou, since Sphiggurus was shown by genetic studies to be
polyphyletic, while Echinoprocta nested within Coendou.[5]
Characteristics
Among the most notable features of Coendou porcupines are their unspined
prehensile tails. The front and hind feet are also modified for grasping. These limbs all contribute to making this animal an
adept climber, an adaptation to living most of their lives in trees.[6]
They feed on
leaves, shoots,
fruits,
bark, roots, and buds. They can be pests of
plantation crops.[6] They also make a distinctive "baby-like" sound to communicate in the wild.
Their young are born with soft hair that hardens to quills with age. Adults are slow-moving and will roll into a ball when threatened and on the ground. The record
longevity is 27 years.[7]