Nature Field Guide
Mexican Hairy Porcupine
- Spanish name
- Puercoespín
- Scientific name
- Coendou mexicanus
What Do Pico & Tati Think?
This tree-dwelling porcupine has dark coarse hair that can hide many of its protective quills.
What does Least Concern mean?
In the linked conservation assessment, this species does not qualify as threatened or near threatened with extinction. It still needs care: local populations and habitats can face problems even when the species has a lower extinction risk overall.
This label describes conservation status. It does not tell us whether a plant is safe for children or pets. Select the status button to read the assessment.
Species overview
About the Mexican Hairy Porcupine
This tree-dwelling porcupine has dark coarse hair that can hide many of its protective quills. Its prehensile tail can grip a branch while it climbs. It usually searches at night for plant foods such as fruit, leaves, green nuts and bark, then rests in trees during the day. Quills cannot be thrown, but contact with them can hurt another animal. Guanacaste's conservation authority documents this species in Costa Rican lowlands, including dry forest. A quiet canopy can shelter animals that are easy to overlook.
Explorer activity: Draw three different animal tails: a gripping tail, a bushy tail and an armored tail. Describe what each might help its owner do.
Your discovery notes: Record the date, place and habitat. Add a sketch or a photograph taken from a distance. Write what you observed and one question you would like to investigate. If the species is uncertain, keep that uncertainty in your notes.
Identification
Key Features of the Mexican Hairy Porcupine
Dark coarse fur with protective quills beneath or among the hairs.
Rounded body and a long gripping tail.
Usually encountered in trees rather than on the ground.
Habitat & range
Lowland forest, including Guanacaste's tropical dry forest.
Local observations
Recorded in Costa Rica. This is a country-level profile; it does not establish occurrence in every province, town or nature site.
When to observe
Generally nocturnal; daytime individuals may be resting in trees.
Conservation & care
Explore with an adult or local guide. Observe quietly from a distance, stay on established trails and leave shelter undisturbed. Do not feed, touch, capture or corner wildlife. Keep pets away.
Conservation assessment
Global IUCN category reported by the linked specialist or Mammal Diversity Database account, checked October 2026. Least Concern does not mean there are no threats or that every local population is secure.
Observation activity
Draw three different animal tails: a gripping tail, a bushy tail and an armored tail. Describe what each might help its owner do.
Explore by location
Caribbean · Central Pacific · Guanacaste · Northern Plains · South Pacific · Heredia