Long-Tailed Porcupine (Trichys lipura)
The Long-Tailed Porcupine (Trichys lipura) is the smallest of the four Malaysian Porcupine species and can be mistaken at a glance for an oversized rat - until one notices the large tuft of stiff hairs at the end of its long tail. The Large Porcupine (Hystrix brachyura) on the other hand is a large species growing up to 7 kg in weight. Porcupines are largely nocturnal animals and are peaceful unless provoked by a predator into using their sharp quills in self-defence. Both of these porcupines can be found throughout Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.
While some of these animals, such as the Large Spotted Civets , may still be relatively common, few are privileged enough to see others like the Hairy-Nosed Otter of Yellow-Throated Marten in the wild. These mammal species are all protected by law, in order to conserve a truly worthwhile part of Malaysia's natural heritage.
