It is happy family time for porcupine couple at Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park, Ormanjhi (17 kilometres way from Ranchi) as for the time ever a porcupine is born here. Just 25 days old, this baby has caught the attention of most of the zoo employees. Presently, kept on breastfeeding diet, the seven inches long new member was seen licking banana on Tuesday.
“Around three years back, we brought a porcupine couple from Jonha forest. On August 30, this mouse size baby was born to them. Since, we try to secure the new born mammals from human imprint for a month, the sex of this baby has not been determined yet,” Bhola Mahto, the keeper of these porcupines said.
Narrating about the familiar activity happening in the cage he said, “Nowadays, baby porcupine loves playing with the grams served to the parents. It cannot eat but somehow tries to roll with grams. The parental care is clearly reflected when the father escorts his baby while it makes effort to walk freely within its home.”
Porcupines form a separate family of rodents, easily recognized by their hair, modified more or less completely into spines. Other rodents have spines, but never so long or formidable. Its neck and shoulders are crowned with a chest of bristles six to 12 inches long. After attaining the age of 11 months, porcupines are matured enough for reproduction. The pregnancy tenure is of 90 days for these rodents. Sharing a unique difference about these rodents, Zoo Veterinary Specialist Dr Ajay Kumar said, “Interestingly, the breast of porcupines is found under the arms and not easily noticed. So, it is difficult for anyone to trace the exact area when the mother breastfeeds the baby.”
“licking the banana shows that the baby is eager to eat tasty food items. So, we are planning to provide cerelac powder to the baby by the end of this month,” Dr Ajay added. Apart from this family, a male porcupine is also residing in the cage. Cage Keeper Bhola said, “He is more like an uncle for this baby accompanying his father in all the homely behaviors.” Scientifically known as Hystrix indica, porcupine species is found across India, Sri lanka, Baluchistan, Iran and Middle-East Asia.