By Ben Robel
Geographic Range
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, Da Rocha, and Simoes-Lopes, 2005)
Biogeographic Regions:
neotropical 
(native ).
Habitat
(3280 ft)
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, Da Rocha, and Simoes-Lopes, 2005)
These animals are found in the following types of habitat:
tropical ; terrestrial .
Terrestrial Biomes:
savanna or grassland ; forest .
Physical Description
(2.64 to 3.3 lbs)
(23.62 to 31.5 in)
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)
Some key physical features:
endothermic ; heterothermic ; bilateral symmetry ; polymorphic .
Sexual dimorphism: sexes alike.
Reproduction
Bahia hairy dwarf porcupines breed once each year.
Bahia hairy dwarf porcupines breed throughout the year.
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)
Key reproductive features:
iteroparous ; year-round breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; viviparous .
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)
Parental investment:
precocial ; pre-fertilization (provisioning, protecting: female); pre-hatching/birth (provisioning: female, protecting: female); pre-weaning/fledging (provisioning: female).
Lifespan/Longevity
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, Da Rocha, and Simoes-Lopes, 2005)
Behavior
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)
Home Range
Bahia hairy dwarf porcupines use home ranges of 12 to 35 acres in size.
Communication and Perception
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)
Food Habits
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)
Animal Foods:
insects.
Plant Foods:
leaves; roots and tubers; wood, bark, or stems; seeds, grains, and nuts; fruit; flowers.
Predation
- snakes (Serpentes)
- raptors (Falconiformes)
- cats (Felidae)
- humans (Homo sapiens)
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)
Ecosystem Roles
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)
Key ways these animals impact their ecosystem:
disperses seeds.
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
There are no known adverse effects of S. insidiosus on humans.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
Humans hunt Bahia hairy dwarf porcupines for their quills and meat. The quills may be used for artwork, weapons, or medical reasons. (Freitas, Da Rocha, and Simoes-Lopes, 2005; Walker, 1999)
Ways that people benefit from these animals:
food ; body parts are source of valuable material.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: [link]:
Lower Risk - Least Concern.
US Federal List: [link]:
No special status.
CITES: [link]:
No special status.
State of Michigan List: [link]:
No special status.
Bahia hairy dwarf porcupine populations are considered stable currently.
For More Information
Find Sphiggurus insidiosus information at
Contributors
Tanya Dewey (editor), Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.
Ben Robel (author), University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. Chris Yahnke (editor, instructor), University of Wisconsin Stevens Point.
