Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun The typical genus of Hystricidæ, formerly conterminous with the family, now restricted to the common old-world porcupines, with very long spines or quills, such as those used for penholders. H. cristata is the leading species, inhabiting southern Europe and northern Africa. See
porcupine . - noun [lowercase] An animal of this genus.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- proper noun (Zoöl.) A genus of rodents, including the porcupine.
Etymologies
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Examples
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Porcupines Hystrix cristata and hedgehogs Atelenix alboventris are serious pests in the cropland.
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Other mammals include Indian porcupine Hystrix indica and Indian hare Lepus nigricollis.
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Mammals which occur in the region and probably exist in the vicinity of Bandiagara escarpment include rock hyrax Procavia capensis, porcupine Hystrix spp, common jackal Canis aureus and pale fox Vulpes pallida.
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Porcupine (Hystrix brachyura), Thailand (Photograph by Sean Austin)
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When antelope numbers are low, porcupines (Hystrix africaeaustralis) feature prominently in the diet of the Kalahari lion.
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Of the larger mammals there are large populations of wild boar Sus scrofa, and introduced wild water buffalo Bubalus bubalis; also a number of crested porcupine Hystrix cristata (LR), jackal canis aurea, genet Genetta genetta, Egyptian mongoose Herpestes ichneumon, wild cat Felis sylvestris lybica; and four species of bat.
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Among other noteworthy large mammals are the Italian roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), the wild cat (Felis silvestris), and the crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata).
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(‘Hystrix cristata’), are all able to subsist without water for many months at a time by living on bulbs and tubers containing moisture.
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- Indian porcupine (Hystrix indica) and other species of South Asia.
15 Agouti 1991
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The true porcupines, sub-family _Hystricinae_, consist of two genera, both of which are represented in India -- _Atherura_ and _Hystrix_.
Natural History of the Mammalia of India and Ceylon Robert Armitage Sterndale 1870
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