English

An erethizontid, Erethizon dorsatum

Noun

erethizontid ‎(plural erethizontids)

1. (zoology) Any of the New World porcupines comprising the family Erethizontidae.
   • 1987, Joseph F. Merritt, Guide to the Mammals of Pennsylvan, page 235,

     Erethizontids are primarily herbivorous. […] With their elaborate courtship behavior, the erethizontids are a fascinating group of mammals.

   • 2010, M. G. Vucetich, A. G. Kramarz, A. M. Candela, 14: Colhuehuapian rodents from Gran Barranca and other Patagonian localities: the state of the art, Richard H. Madden (editor), The Paleontology of Gran Barranca, page 212,

     The erethizontids, with four genera (including eight species) achieved their greatest known diversity, representing 22% of the total diversity.

   • 2010, Peter S. Ungar, Mammal Teeth: Origin, Evolution, and Diversity, page 212,

     Erethizontids inhabit a broad variety of habitats, from tundra to the tropics and from dense forests to open settings.

Synonyms

• (any species of family Erethizontidae): New World porcupine