Sphiggurus insidiosus
Bahia hairy dwarf porcupine
(Also: pallid hairy dwarf porcupine)

Sphiggurus insidiosus can be found in evergreen forests in the Caatinga region of Brazil. This region extends from northeastern to east-central Brazil, where it is bordered by semi-arid desert. (Eisenberg and Redford, 2000; Freitas, et al., 2005)

The Caatinga region of Brazil receives powerful winds from each direction which influences rainfall. The climate is hot and arid, with a summer rainfall pattern. Caatinga consists of a mosaic of vegetation communities, from cerrado (savanna) to humid montane forest in high areas. (Freitas, et al., 2005)

Bahia hairy dwarf porcupines are small porcupines, from 1.2 to 1.5 kg and 70 cm from tail to nose. The tail is prehensile, which allows greater stability in trees. Individually barbed quills and soft hair protect them from predators. All white variants of this species are sometimes observed. (Eisenberg and Redford, 2000; Walker, 1999; Woods, 1984)

The mating system for S. insidiosus is not well documented. Screaming, barking, and grunting are used to attract females in heat. (Woods, 1984)

Female Bahia hairy dwarf porcupines are pregnant or lactating for much of their lives. They usually produce one precocial offspring with each pregnancy. The gestation period is about 200 days, with young reaching independence at about 8 to 12 weeks old. Males and females reach sexual maturity at 1.5 to 2.5 years of age. (Eisenberg and Redford, 2000; Walker, 1999)

Parental care in Bahia hairy dwarf porcupines is rather short. The young are born with hair and quills, and capable of walking within the first few minutes of birth. The juvenile reaches independence within 8 to 12 weeks. (Walker, 1999; Woods, 1984)

There is little information on longevity in S. insidiosus. Bahia hairy dwarf porcupines are expected to live to around 15 years in the wild before natural causes or predation limits their life. (Freitas, et al., 2005)

Bahia hairy dwarf porcupines are arboreal animals, spending much of their time in trees resting. They forage at night and are fairly sedentary. (Walker, 1999; Woods, 1984)

Bahia hairy dwarf porcupines use home ranges of 12 to 35 acres in size.

Bahia hairy dwarf porcupines are usually quiet, except during the mating season when they use a series of whines, grunts, barks, and screams to attract mates. They also have vocalizations that they use between mothers and young. Like most mammals, it is likely that chemical cues are important in communicating. (Eisenberg and Redford, 2000; Walker, 1999)

Bahia hairy dwarf porcupines are mainly herbivorous, although they will also eat ant pupae. They eat mostly fruit, seeds, roots, and bark while foraging at night. (Eisenberg and Redford, 2000; Woods, 1984)

Bahia hairy dwarf porcupines use their quills to deter predators. The quills are barbed, making them painful and potentially dangerous when they enter the flesh of a predator. Predators include snakes, raptors, cats, and humans. (Walker, 1999; Woods, 1984)

Bahia hairy dwarf porcupines benefit many plants by eating and dispersing their seeds. They also negatively affect some tree species by eating the roots and bark of trees, causing them to die. Some ant species are also preyed on by S. insidiosus. They destroy ant communities by eating the pupae and digging through the nests. (Eisenberg and Redford, 2000; Walker, 1999)

Humans hunt Bahia hairy dwarf porcupines for their quills and meat. The quills may be used for artwork, weapons, or medical reasons. (Freitas, et al., 2005; Walker, 1999)

There are no known adverse effects of S. insidiosus on humans.

Bahia hairy dwarf porcupine populations are considered stable currently.