Environmental determinants of activity variation of an overlooked burrowing rodent: the Indian crested porcupine

Indian crested porcupines (ICP) exhibit significant seasonal and temporal activity variations influenced by environmental determinants such as sunrise, sunset, and lunar phases. The study, conducted in Keoladeo National Park, revealed that ICP emergence rates peak during monsoon and winter, correlating with sunset timings, while their daily activity significantly declines on full moon nights, likely to evade predators. Additionally, adult ICP showed heightened activity in January–February, coinciding with burrow preparation for gestation and offspring rearing. The research highlights the ecological role of ICP as ecosystem engineers, despite its status as a problem species, and estimates a population density of 3.21±1.32 individuals/km², totaling approximately 65.89±27.15 individuals in the park.

Mukherjee, A., Kumara, H. N., & Bhupathy, S. (2018). Environmental determinants of activity variation of an overlooked burrowing rodent: the Indian crested porcupine. Mammalia, 82(5), 449–459. https://doi.org/10.1515/mammalia-2017-0124