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Hystrix brachyura Linnaeus, 1758
| Family Name: | Hystricidae |
| Taxonomic Group: | Vertebrates (Mammal) |
| Common Name: | Malayan Porcupine |
Name
Description
| Description | Blunt snout, body robust with short limbs and short tail. Hair on upperparts modified to stiff long spines, those on the rear back are longest and are black with white bands. |
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Ecology, Habitat & Location
| Ecological Notes | Active during the night. Feeds on fruits, roots and stems. Usually land-based but excavates deep burrows where it spends the day. Found in mature forest. |
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| Habitats | Forest, Terrestrial |
| Distribution | In Singapore, thought to be extinct until one individual was photographed in late 2005, on Pulau Tekong. Distributed in mainland Southeast Asia, Sumatra and Borneo. |
| Nature Reserves | Central Catchment Nature Reserve |
Conservation
| Trends & Threats | Habitat loss and hunting for 'wild meats'. |
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| Scientific Interest & Potential Value | Porcupines are eaten by people of certain ethnic groups. |
| Conservation Notes | Protection of its natural habitat, and from poaching. |
Status
| Species Status | Native |
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| Conservation Status | Rare |
| Singapore Red Data Book Status | Critically Endangered (CR) [3rd Edition] |
Photos
References
| References | Baker, N. & Lim, K. 2008. Wild animals of Singapore. Singapore: Draco Publishing and Distribution Pte Ltd. 180pp. Davison G.W.H., Gan J.W.M., Huang D., Hwang W.S., Lum S.K.Y., Yeo D.C.J. (eds.). 2024. The Singapore Red Data Book: Red Lists of Singapore Biodiversity, Third Edition. National Parks Board, Singapore |
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